The Athens Biennale 2015-2017 – “OMONOIA” began its official programme on November 18, 2015 with “Synapse 1: Introducing a laboratory for production post-2011”, an ongoing collective experiment, which transformed the area of Omonoia square in central Athens into a social laboratory of ideas with the contribution of anthropologists, researchers, activists, academics, artists, civic organisations and self-managed groups.

From November 18th to 29th, 2015 the Athens Biennale 2015-2017 “inhabits” the greater area of Omonoia square, joins forces and shares its spaces and facilities with cultural institutions, such as the National Theatre of Greece, non-profit art organisations, individual artists and groups. The empty landmark hotel of Bageion serves as the central venue. The building was granted for use to the Athens Biennale by the Municipality of Athens, since, for the first time, the Athens Biennale is co-organized with the City of Athens.

Massimiliano Mollona, the Programme Director of the Athens Biennale 2015-2017 “OMONOIA” (Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology, Goldsmiths College, London) is interested in “how art can contribute to broader political and economic debates and create a bridge between social research and civic engagement”.

SOURCE: Athens Biennale