NEW YORK – A special exhibition is coming to New York from April 18, bringing together photographers, muralists, painters, and visual storytellers capturing Greece through their own lens.
A vision like no other is being brought to life by Vasia Makris, founder of Moments. Gallery, a newly opened space at the Dream Downtown hotel in Manhattan, through ‘Dreaming of Greece’ – a digital showcase of Greece in New York.
Speaking with The National Herald, Makris shared how as a Greek-American with a strong love for travelling, her heart was always split between her two homes – Queens, New York, and Poros and Athens in Greece. That is what inspired her to create something for the community, that not only aligned with the Greek Independence Day celebrations in New York, but that shines a light upon talented Greeks across the globe, and celebrates Greece, its art, history, people, and culture.
The exhibition brings together 12 photographers, muralists, painters, and visual storytellers capturing Greece through their own ‘lens’, and features anything from black and white documentations of identity to cinematic landscapes, Byzantine-inspired iconography and bold contemporary pop and street work.
Dreaming of Greece? Evelyn Antae Boatenk and Vasia Makris are bringing Greece to New York in an exhibit like no other. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
Artists’ works including Aris Katsigiannis, George Tatakis, Our Exploration, Johan Lolos, Dimitrios Pallis, Ioakeim Koumousis, INO, Wild Drawing, Stefanos Addimando, Caroline, Rovithi, BK and Evageline Plakas will all be featured in the exhibition.
The official launch of Dreaming of Greece takes place on Saturday, April 18 from 6 PM at the Dream Downtown hotel, at 355 W 16th St, New York.
It will feature a DJ playing Greek music, Greek and Greek-American vendors, immersive interactions, and visits and talks from various ‘Cultural Voices’, including Agapi Stassinopoulos, Sagapo NYC (Evelyn Antae Boatenk), GLE – Greek Language Experts (Emily & Danai) and Ellines Out West (Rigas Rigopoulos).
The Dreaming of Greece exhibit will be open for public viewing for two weeks following its launch on April 18. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
As an exhibition developed over the last three months, Makris expressed what initially inspired her to curate it.
“A friend had actually reached out from Ellines Out West and was asking me, ‘when are we doing something together’…and I was like, you know what, let’s do something here, and we can line it up with Greek Independence Day,” Makris told TNH.
“So, we came up with this concept, which is really just a celebration that is also in line with the 205-year celebration of Greece’s Independence.”
“I just wanted to use my platform to give back.”
When asked about why she named it ‘Dreaming of Greece’, Makris simply stated “when we’re in New York, we’re constantly dreaming of Greece”, which inspired her to bring together Greek artists and the Greek community and give them a platform.
“I just think it’s extremely important to continue to pass on our culture and traditions for the next generation…and find a way where the ‘neolea’ can get involved in New York City,” she added.
As an event ‘Bringing a piece of Greece to New York’, it also serves as the perfect networking opportunity for Greeks and non-Greeks who appreciate Greek art, culture, and traditions.
The Moments. Gallery’s Dreaming of Greece exhibition features more than 10 different Greek artists’ works. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
Makris further expressed how she felt to pay tribute to her Greek heritage by curating this one-of-a-kind exhibition.
“It’s super fulfilling and beautiful, and I feel so proud to do it,” she expressed.
“I’m proud to be Greek, I love being Greek, and I am proud of our culture and our heritage – and I’m very grateful to be doing this.”
The Dreaming of Greece exhibition at Moments. Gallery. (Photo: Courtesy of Moments. Gallery)
“It’s important to also see people in the community doing things like this as well and being able to build a business or do whatever they’re doing but keeping the Greek culture alive.”
Evelyn Antae Boatenk, the Ghanaian-Greek chef, influencer and Sagapo founder, also teamed up with Makris to help with the promotional side of things. She expressed how she felt to be involved.
“I feel like many of the young people here are not as involved with what Greek culture really means. It’s one thing to go to Greek clubs in Astoria and say you’re Greek, and then it’s completely different to actually do something to display Greece in front of everyone’s eyes,” Boatenk told TNH.
Dreaming of Greece officially launches on Saturday, April 18. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
“For me, of course I want to help – there’s nothing better I could imagine doing. It’s something everyone should do and be a part of…and it’s very nice to be involved with things that pay tribute and honor our identity and also celebrate our country here in America.”
Hoping to see more than 300 people attend, Makris and Boatenk revealed how they felt ahead of the Dreaming of Greece launch on April 18.
“Obviously it’s a lot of behind the scenes production, and a lot of different artists and vendors and people to coordinate with, but it gets very rewarding and motivating and inspiring when everything starts coming together,” Makris expressed, adding that, “I feel very grateful that I could do this, and that I have a platform in which we can host an event like this… it gets me so excited.”
A close up of some of the images in the Dreaming of Greece exhibition. Photo: Courtesy of Moments. Gallery)
She continued: “I get very emotional because Greece, at the end of the day, for me, has always been home, and being able to do this and bring people together – those are the moments that people crave and love and I love that element of connection. I hope this is the first of many events for the Greek community.”
Boatenk said she was “very excited” to see the exhibition come to life.
“I know that Vasia put in a lot of work behind the scenes, and I helped as much as I could as well…and I hope that everyone’s going to come and appreciate what she created, and that it’s going to be a viral success as well,” she said.
Dreaming of Greece will run through until May 2, and will be open to the public at any time for viewing.
To find out more, visit https://partiful.com/e/CeIqFeWlGdikbguBUm8M.