elc team
By Katerina Parri
“We’ve already started setting up in the park. We’re returning to the park—and as you may have heard, we’re returning ‘gently.’ This time, Plásmata won’t be so spectacular, dazzling, or even overtly digital. They’ll be tender. They’ll invite us to discover them,” says Afroditi Panagiotakou, Artistic Director of the Onassis Foundation, who also holds the artistic direction and curatorship of Plásmata 3 – We’ve met before, haven’t we? at Pedion tou Areos. Or simply “Pedion”—a word repeated more than any other in the conversation, not just because it’s where this year’s Plásmata unfold, but because it now feels like home to the Onassis team.
As a devoted fan of the Plásmata, I remember how the first edition at Pedion tou Areos made me see the park differently. I kept going back, again and again, grateful that such monumental happenings could take place in public space. Monumental not in scale, but in significance. At Plásmata 2 in Ioannina, the experience was one I’ll remember for a lifetime. But now we move on to Plásmata 3—and perhaps it’s wiser not to define it at all.
Speaking from the atrium of the Onassis Stegi offices, Afroditi Panagiotakou and Prodromos Tsiavos (Director of Digital Development and Innovation at the Onassis Foundation and General Manager of Plásmata 3) shared what we can expect, explore, and feel in this year’s iteration.
This year, Plásmata evolves. It unfolds into something more like a celebration—bringing together works by 25 artists across disciplines and inviting us into an expanded experience at the park: a hypnotic performance by French choreographer Yoann Bourgeois, music, DJ sets, live broadcasts from Stegi.Radio, open discussions, a summer cinema kicking off with The Wizard of Oz, workshops, pop-up food spots and bars, and plenty of lounging on Andreas Angelidakis’s puff-pillars. And in certain corners, an aesthetic that seems to drift straight out of a David Lynch dream.
Lounging, an ode to nothingness, and comfort… at Plásmata 3
“In some cases, it’s not about understanding the works—but about feeling them. They may even lead us to invent them ourselves. To decide what they are. What we wanted to do this time was to create a comforting walk,” explains Afroditi Panagiotakou about this year’s Plásmata. “I’m not even sure if Plásmata should be called an exhibition. Or a project. Because it feels like neither. At times, we’ve described what we do as creating ‘situations.’ But even that doesn’t quite fit this time. This is more like an invitation. And the creatures themselves seem to say: come see us, come find us.”
The goal is not just to cross through Pedion tou Areos as an interesting public space—but to truly make it our own. To spend more time there.
“And like it or not, even in a beautiful place like the park, we often need a reason to linger. We’re not really trained for this—not just as Greeks, but as people born in the 20th or 21st century—to do nothing. This time, we say: come to the park, and let the invitation be exactly that—to do nothing. And that ‘nothing’ might just be the antidote to aggression, to ugliness, to harshness. Because those things abound in the real world we already live in. So we thought—let’s make an oasis, where reality plays a smaller role.”
That’s why Plásmata 3 lives somewhere between the objectively real and the invented, between what we call fiction and what we call reality. And perhaps deliberately, Panagiotakou avoids using the word “imagination” here. “We’re not trying to provoke imagination as a tool for generating fiction. We’re highlighting the creations of the artists, who are the true protagonists of this story we call Plásmata 3.”
“We want you to experience it as we did—to take a journey that feels a bit like the world we often invoked this year: the world of David Lynch. A world where everything seems normal—until it isn’t. Because there’s always a tiny detail that shifts your perception. And that shift moves you away from another hallmark of rationalism: certainty. What we’re creating here is a small sense of uncertainty. Where you ask: What is that sound? Is it coming from a speaker? Is it the sound of water in a stream? Is it echoing from a seashell? And is that seashell a speaker? Is it real?”
What Plásmata 3 are made of… somewhere between truth and illusion
Afroditi Panagiotakou shared the core of this year’s Plásmata in the clearest, most personal way—by referencing the two songs she used to guide her team from the very beginning. As she explained:
“The paths we followed on this journey began when I gave the initial brief and said: Let’s go with two songs. Let’s go with ‘Tell me lies, tell me sweet little lies,’ and ‘Personally, I can’t tell if what we’re living is real or a hallucination.’ That was our starting point. So then we asked: Where do we place this illusion? As we looked at the artworks we loved, and thought about our own personal illusions—about living in Greece, about who we are—we found ourselves drawn to this game with archaeology. A game I eventually called pseudo-archaeology. Works that seem ancient, but aren’t. From afar, you might think Angelidakis’ columns are ancient ruins, or that the Parthenon created by Callas had always been there.”
Unlike previous years, Plásmata 3 doesn’t place its emphasis on the digital. Not by curatorial design, but as a natural progression—more open, freer, and unapologetic in the tools the artists choose to use. What matters now is the experience of entering this cloud of illusion or hallucination, of letting ourselves float between what’s real and what simply appears to be.
Plásmata 3: A park-wide invitation to coexistence and contemplation
The placement of each artwork in the park was not predetermined—it was the result of walking through the space, searching together with the artists for the right corner, discussing, questioning, and tuning into the surroundings. Most of the works were created specifically for Plásmata 3, by artists who know how to communicate with the curatorial team—not only because they share a language, but because many have “lived together” for a long time, having passed through the Onassis AiR (the Foundation’s international artistic research and residency program). Fittingly, the title We’ve met before, haven’t we? is more than symbolic.
Afroditi Panagiotakou emphasized that the positioning of the works within the park has nothing to do with the prominence or fame of the artist. It’s all about the reason each piece exists in that particular spot. As she noted, Plásmata 3 includes work by William Kentridge, but that doesn’t mean you’ll see it right at the entrance. And that’s okay—even if you miss it during your walk, you’ll encounter other works, other worlds.
Among the artists featured this year are: Andreas Angelidakis, Ziad Antar, Yoann Bourgeois, The Callas, DIONYSIOS, John Fitzgerald & Godfrey Reggio, Pierre-Christophe Gam, Moritz Simon Geist, Efi Gousi, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Botao ‘Amber’ Hu, Jiabao Li & Matt McCorkle, Noemi Iglesias Barrios, Kalos&Klio, William Kentridge, Aias Kokkalis, Katerina Komianou, Manousos Manousakis, Natalia Manta, Martyna Marciniak, Maria Mavropoulou, Janis Rafa, Andreas Wannerstedt, and Robert Wilson.
This year’s Plásmata unfold through three thematic currents: Pseudo-Archaeology, Animals, and The Metaphysical. Within these realms, visitors will encounter:
– Bob Wilson’s owl standing near the statue of Athena,
– a golden Datsun turned into a stargazing station by DIONYSIOS,
– Andreas Angelidakis’s ancient-column beanbags that invite you to lounge,
– the sculptural figure of Mother by Natalia Manta,
– and a digital shaman-totem by Kalos&Klio—guardian of all religions and creatures—presiding over the crossroads of faiths and human rituals in the park.
Time, tenderness, and slow revolutions at Plásmata 3
Efi Gousi revives the ancient ritual of taurokathapsia through her work; the delicate glass sculptures of Noemi Iglesias Barrios respond to intimacy—lighting up when visitors hold hands, embrace, or kiss; and Ziad Antar’s metronome quietly marks the rhythm of life itself.
Jiabao Li, Matt McCorkle, and Botao ‘Amber’ Hu invite us to don a mask—bat-like in shape—and, by placing our phone inside it, we’re able to see sound through an augmented reality app.
At the Sanctuary of Dreams by Pierre–Christophe Gam, you’re welcome to enter, sit, relax, and stay as long as you like. You can even leave behind a note—an offering of how you wish to dream the world.
“One of our goals with Plásmata 3 is to make space for stillness—for that ‘nothing’ we spoke about. That’s our wager,” says Afroditi Panagiotakou. “We want to give ourselves time. We want to offer a small hymn to slowness. Let’s forget, even briefly, that everything must happen within ninety minutes. The artists themselves embrace this pace—just look at the way their stories unfold. Even the way Moritz Simon Geist’s shell turns—its motion tells you: take your time. Watch me spin. Listen to the sound I make.”
“Plásmata is, above all, for the people who live in this city”
For three weeks, from 19:00 to 23:00, stegi.radio will set up a dedicated booth in the park, broadcasting DJ sets, live sessions, and conversations. With over seventy radio producers curating the park’s musical identity, the space will become a welcoming hub for connection and exchange. It’s a journey across the Athenian local scene—artists who’ve shaped the soundscape of the city over the past five years—interwoven with global voices from the international music stage.
As Akis Chontasis of Voltnoi & Quetempo (from stegi.radio) put it:
“Plásmata is, above all, for the people who live in this city. We’re starting with the neighborhoods around Pedion tou Areos. We’re not thinking about how many tourists will come—that’s not the point. The point is to bring together people who matter, so they can listen to the music scene of Athens. Because that might mean something to the artists themselves. And it gives the artists a chance to hear things—from curators, from people who know the scene. What matters to us is creating a meeting point for the entire music community of Athens—and we truly believe we’re going to make that happen.”
The stegi.radio lineup includes African Voices, Christina Hazboun, who will narrate the story of Palestine through ten records, Christopher King, and, for the first time, Georgia Taglietti, former head of communications at Sónar—a key figure in the global music industry. Her voice carries weight: Where is the industry heading? What are the new trends? What are the real opportunities? She represents a vital connector in the ever-shifting landscape of artist positioning and the evolving tools needed to navigate it.
A playful clearing, neighborhood voices, and a quiet kind of tenderness
Tucked behind the statue of King Constantine, in a sunlit clearing, lies what some have lovingly called the “playground”—a kind of open-air adult recreation space, with cinema nights under the stars and a street food corner curated by Fotis Liapis. Five neighborhood spots will serve up a rich, multicultural spread of food and drink, bringing local flavor directly into the heart of the park.
In the same spirit, a series of open discussions will unfold like a kind of local excavation—of the area, the park, and its surrounding neighborhoods. The focus: real people with real ties to the place and its stories. “We see this park as a space made of creatures and stories,” says Pasqua Vorgià, curator of the discussion series. “And we’re trying to gather those stories, to really listen to them. So many voices, each one different.”
Closing our conversation, Afroditi Panagiotakou reflected on Plásmata 3 with gentle sincerity:
“These creatures have stirred a kind of quiet emotion in us. I can’t quite explain why—but I think it has to do with our need to work with sensitivity, with feeling, but without slipping into sentimentality. To approach this a bit lovingly. During our walks through the park these past months, we found ourselves more drawn to watching couples on benches, the elderly men playing chess and backgammon, the solitary readers—rather than asking: where should we place a giant screen so passersby will notice Plásmata from afar? None of that. Our hope is that this little wager we’ve made succeeds. And it will succeed if someone comes to the park—and leaves feeling just a little better. If they leave thinking: today was a good day.”
Participating artists
Andreas Angelidakis, Ziad Antar, Yoann Bourgeois, The Callas / Lakis & Aris Ionas, DIONYSIOS, John Fitzgerald, Pierre-Christophe Gam, Moritz Simon Geist, Efi Gousi, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Botao ‘Amber’ Hu, Noemi Iglesias Barrios, Kalos&Klio, William Kentridge, Aias Kokkalis, Katerina Komianou, Jiabao Li, Matt McCorkle, Manousos Manousakis, Natalia Manta, Martyna Marciniak, Maria Mavropoulou, Janis Rafa, Andreas Wannerstedt, Robert Wilson.
Discover all the program
Perrformance
Yoann Bourgeois Art Company — Approach 17. Opening
May 27, 28 & June 6, 13 — 19:00, 19:30, 20:00
June 7, 8, 14, 15 — 19:30, 20:00, 20:30
Curated by: Ileiana Dimadi, Konstantinos Tzathas
A staircase that leads nowhere. A figure climbs it, reaches the top, falls into the void—only to rise again and begin anew. This cyclical choreography defies gravity and becomes a meditation on effort, failure, and transcendence.
French creator Yoann Bourgeois, known for his collaborations with Harry Styles, Coldplay, and Louis Vuitton, brings to Athens for the first time his celebrated work Approach 17. Opening—a moving visual poem inspired by Philip Glass’s Glassworks.
Drawing from his background in circus arts, Bourgeois merges acrobatics, architecture, and existential theater in a kinetic language that is equal parts lyrical and daring. His silent figure, ascending endlessly toward the unknown, recalls Beckett’s enduring line: “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
🕰 Performance duration: 8 minutes
Open-Air Cinema Curated by: Elizabetta Elia Georgiadou
Every Wednesday and Friday at Pedion tou Areos
A cinematic dreamscape unfolds under the stars. From Dorothy’s yellow brick road to dystopian visions of Athens, this summer screening series transforms the park into a magical open-air cinema.
Six feature films and seven shorts explore fantasy, sci-fi, and the urban condition, echoing Plásmata 3’s central themes: How real is our reality? Where do we belong? What does Athens mean to us? And what makes non-human beings feel so eerily familiar?
Screening Schedule
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
20:15 | Intro: Konstantina Kotzamani
20:30 | Washingtonia by Konstantina Kotzamani (Greece, 2014, 24’)
21:00 | The Wizard of Oz by Victor Fleming (USA, 1939, 101’)
Friday, May 30, 2025
20:15 | Intro: Efi Pappa
20:30 | Destino by Dominique Monféry (USA, 2003, 7’)
20:40 | The Hunter by Efi Pappa (UK, 2014, 3’)
20:45 | Flow – The Cat Who Wasn’t Afraid of Water by Gints Zilbalodis (Latvia, 2024, 85’)
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
20:15 | Intro: Yorgos Zois
20:30 | Third Kind by Yorgos Zois (Greece, 2018, 32’)
21:05 | The Fifth Element by Luc Besson (France, 1997, 126’)
Friday, June 6, 2025
20:15 | Intro: Aris Kaplanidis & Ilias Roumeliotis
20:30 | From the Balcony by Aris Kaplanidis & Ilias Roumeliotis (Greece, 2020, 13’)
20:45 | Builders, Housewives, and the Construction of Modern Athens by Tasos Langis & Giannis Gaitanidis (Greece, 2021, 87’)
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
20:15 | Intro: Despina Kourti
20:30 | Numb by Despina Kourti (Greece, 2024, 20’)
20:50 | Wasted Youth by Argyris Papadimitropoulos (Greece, 2011, 122’)
Friday, June 13, 2025
20:15 | Intro: Andrea Gatopoulos
20:30 | The Eggregores’ Theory by Andrea Gatopoulos (Italy, 2024, 15’)
20:45 | My Neighbor Totoro by Hayao Miyazaki (Japan, 1988, 86’)
Music | Stegi Radio
STEGI.RADIO becomes a meeting point for the creatures of the park, hosting more than 70 producers and DJs, live performances, music that transcends genres and borders, and engaging conversations—letting music narrate a different story of our world: an open invitation to a musical and historical journey that begins at Pedion tou Areos and travels across the rest of our world.
From May 27 to June 15, more than seventy producers from the Onassis Stegi’s online radio station will appear as part of the exhibition in a specially designed booth—offering a space for visitors, city residents, local music communities, and the new generation of Athenian DJs, musicians, and producers.
Since 1934, Pedion tou Areos—through its location, the neighborhoods it connects, and the changes and transformations it has undergone over the years—has written a distinct page in Greek history and has reflected how the modern Greek state has evolved. STEGI.RADIO is a vital part of Athens’ multifaceted music communities, as well as those abroad. Its DJs and selectors treat music as a form of historical material—uncovering forgotten or unexpected connections, generating new narratives, voices, and sounds, and suggesting an alternative kind of historiography.
For three weeks, through DJ sets, live performances, and conversations, a wide range of narratives unfold: from the political history of Brazilian baile funk to the place of jazz and dub as key ingredients of contemporary music, from the legacy of Palestinian musical traditions in today’s world to Greek musical heritage and the threads that tie it to the wider Balkan region.
Tuesday 27 May
19:00 – 21:00 | Foteini Korre (GR)
21:00 – 23:00 | Kostis (Black Athena) (GR)
Wednesday 28 May
19:00 – 20:00 | Socrates Antypas (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | io (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Fonoptikon (DJ set) (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | METAMAN (DJ set) (GR)
Thursday 29 May
19:00 – 20:00 | Sofia Stergiou (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | Giganta (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Bright (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | Chevy (GR)
Friday 30 May
19:00 – 20:00 | Cool Geeks (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | kvadosh (GR)
21:00 – 23:00 | TIME FLIES (GR)
Saturday 31 May
19:00 – 20:00 | Nikos Erinakis (Listening Session) (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | A.Square (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Andreas Palmer (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | DJ NOT I (GR)
Sunday 1 June
19:00 – 20:00 | GG Albuquerque (Listening Session) (BR)
20:00 – 21:00 | Katia (GR)
21:00 – 23:00 | Coco María (MX)
Monday 2 June
19:00 – 20:00 | RETROGRADE DAYS (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | Dust Road (GR)
21:00 – 23:00 | The Boy (DJ set) (GR)
Tuesday 3 June
19:00 – 20:00 | A. Epitheti (DJ set) (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | Despina Sanida Crezia (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Miss Trouli (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | Poor J’Darr (GR)
Wednesday 4 June
19:00 – 20:00 | Georgia Taglietti (Interview) (IT)
20:00 – 21:00 | Christopher King (US)
21:00 – 22:00 | Runner (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | ninafterdark (IT)
Thursday 5 June
19:00 – 20:00 | Jo (Black Athena) (UK)
20:00 – 21:00 | FOXY (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Joseph Mouzakitis (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | Katohos (DJ set) (GR)
Friday 6 June
18:30 – 20:40 | African Voices
- 18:30 – 19:10 | Dance and Femininities: From Physicality to Social Identity | Featuring: Aissata Kouyaté, Hawa Kouyaté, Maria Irini Sackey, Vasiliki Mavridi
- 19:15 – 19:55 | African Diaspora Communities: Belonging and the Athenian Experience | Featuring: Moussa Sangare, Ιbrahim Diallo, Linda Nyogo, Andreas Notaras
- 20:00 – 20:40 | The Issue of Citizenship / Featuring: United African Women Organization (Greece), Katerina Rozakou
- 20:45–21:25 | Music, Places, Identities | Featuring: Toumany Diawara, Thomas Gueï, Dielani Diop, Leonidas Oikonomou
21:30 – 23:00 | Scorpio Qveen (FR)
Saturday 7 June
19:00 – 21:00 | George Edward: Strangeness of Jazz (Listening Session) (UK)
21:00 – 22:00 | Carina Obukhova (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | Janet Davis (GR)
Sunday 8 June
19:00 – 21:00 | George Edward: Strangeness of Dub (Listening Session) (UK)
21:00 – 23:00 | Tash LC (UK)
Monday 9 June
19:00 – 21:30 | African Voices
- 19:00 – 19:30 | Gumboot Trio (Live)
- 19:30 – 21:30 | Kelenya Band (Live)
22:00 – 23:00 | Arsenal Mikebe (UG) (Live)
Tuesday 10 June
19:00 – 20:00 | Ilias Pitsios (aka Dynamons) (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | Yannis Iasonidis (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Laura Vargas (CO)
22:00 – 23:00 | pink.wav (GR)
Wednesday 11 June
19:00 – 20:00 | Marios Visvikis (DJ set) (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | Anna-Maria Rammou (AMR) (DJ set) (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Adamantios (Teranga Beat) (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | Terra Exotica (GR)
Thursday 12 June
19:00 – 20:00 | Christina Hazboun (Listening Session) (PS)
20:00 – 21:00 | Veil (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Kairo7000 (EG)
22:00 – 23:00 | Low Jack (FR)
Friday 13 June
STEGI.RADIO x Kiosk Radio
19:00 – 20:00 | PAPAIOANNOU (GR)
20:00 – 21:00 | Elisethere (BE)
21:00 – 22:00 | VIELL (GR)
22:00 – 23:00 | Selmz (FR)
Saturday 14 June
STEGI.RADIO x Kiosk Radio
19:00 – 20:00 | iced lattina (PT)
20:00 – 21:00 | Tasos Stamou (DJ set) (GR)
21:00 – 22:00 | Pala10 (BE)
22:00 – 23:00 | DJ Problems (GE)
Sunday 15 June
19:00 – 20:00 | Stathis Kalatzis (GR)
20:00 – 21:30 | POLYXENE (BR)
21:30 – 23:00 | UNIIQU3 (US)
Music Program Curators: Voltnoi & Quetempo (STEGI.RADIO), Akis Chontasis
Part of the music program of the Plásmata 3 exhibition is carried out within the framework of the European project TMLAB. TMLAB is a three-year collaboration project, co-funded by the Creative Europe program, coordinated by STEGI.RADIO. It brings the new generation of musicians and curators to the forefront, empowering them to develop their work and establish their presence in Europe’s musical landscape.
Food Kiosks & Bar
Curated by Fotis Liapis
A neighborhood is made of more than streets—it’s made of aromas, laughter over drinks, sticky fingers, and the buzz of a crowd that turns music into something richer. With flavors, sounds, and stories from all over the world—rooted in the neighborhoods around Pedion tou Areos—Plásmata 3 invites you to pause, eat, drink, laugh, and savor.
Apoteka x stegi.radio Bar
The beloved “Apoteka” bar, which helped revitalize Victoria Square and feels like something out of an ‘80s film, teams up with stegi.radio for a pop-up bar full of attitude and warmth. From its custom-built blue bar to its deep grooves and ever-diverse crowd, Apoteka brings the energy of its home turf into the park—a public space reclaiming its own voice.
Guerilla Chef Burger
Chef Fahd and his team bring their Exarchia and Neos Kosmos burger cult classics to Plásmata, along with a special Lebanese-inspired creation—an ode to the chef’s roots, infused with Middle Eastern flavor and urban soul. City-born tastes now served in the liveliest urban park of Athens.
Gardenia Kiosk
At the heart of the park, Gardenia isn’t just a café—it’s a memory, a rendezvous point, a constant in the Athenian landscape. Naturally, it becomes part of Plásmata 3, offering quick breaks under the trees with coffee, juices, granitas, beers, ice cream, hot dogs, and waffles. Perfect for visitors wandering between artworks or catching a film under the stars.
Falafel Al Sharq
From Liosion Street, with love—and plenty of tahini. A staple for central Athens locals, this humble spot has become legendary for its crispy, golden falafel. At Plásmata, it serves its signature falafel and Egyptian-style chicken, bringing a taste of the Middle East into the heart of the city. Simple, rich flavors, perfect for eating on the move as you wander the park and let your senses travel.
Vana Ba Afrika Canteen
The Vana Ba Afrika association presents a vibrant taste of Africa, highlighting the culinary heritage of Ghana, Ethiopia, and Morocco. Three African restaurants from Kypseli will serve dishes full of bold aromas and rich spices, creating a gastronomic dialogue that ties local flavor to global culture. A culinary adventure for the curious—those eager to explore new tastes, learn about other traditions, and embrace the energy of the park.
Info
Plásmata 3 | Pedion tou Areos
