Αντίο, Αθήνα!

Saturday

Went to services then Chabad for lunch. There were some repeats from last night (Cretan boy, Panamanian and Israeli), and a new couple originally from New York but now living and working as doctors in Israel. I learned a lot about the Jews of Panama! Who knew there were so many?? It was sad to have to say goodbye to the Hendels, but I am so happy that I found them here and was able to spend Shabbat with them every weekend (except the one when they were out of town). It truly made such a difference in my experience here in Athens.

In the evening, I walked down to the stadium (which is right next door) for the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics. I didn't have a ticket so I couldn't actually go inside the stadium, but I stood outside and was able to see all the different countries lined up and walking in to the stadium for the procession. It was so wonderful to see all of their faces and hear each countries chants and pride.

Logo

This one is for Uncle Matt:

One Happy Island

Denmark, I think

Why did the U.S. decide to wear such awful shorts?

United States

Today

Museums!

I started my day at noon :) at The Jewish Museum, Greece. It wasn't really anything special but I'm glad I went. As a museum, it sucked...information wasn't easily accessible and the order didn't make sense; instead of having labels at the base of window displays, they had baskets of 9 x 17" laminated pieces of paper next to each display with a numbered picture, then descriptions listed next to the corresponding number below. Not only is this a great way to spread germs but it was inconvenient and hard to follow. I did learn a bit about the history of Jews in Greece though. Apparently many Greeks helped protect Jews during the Holocaust by hiding them, but the Nazis still managed to exterminate 87% of the Jewish population in Greece (75,000 before the war). One of the Holocaust displays was somehow related to the Athens Film Festival and had a separate blurb next to it; the title caught my attention: "The Banalaty of Evil (An open wound on the body of 20th century history)."

After this museum, I walked past Gazi to the Benaki Museum Annex for some really fun, innovative and interesting exhibits. I went for one exhibit in particular, but as a student at a Greek university, I got free admission and was able to see the entire museum. Unlike the Benaki Museum we went to with class that focuses on historical objects, the annex was much more modern and reminded me of the "Virtual Identities" exhibit I went to in Florence. A lot of my descriptions of the exhibits include the information from the blurbs posted around the building. I found their words very strong and much more descriptive and informative than my ramblings about what I saw could do.

• Against All Odds Project

"An individual's self-perception is largely determined by the culture of their profession - its views, ideologies, trends and evaluations. The existing framework of the discipline of architecture, or any other profession, will often curb our ability to perceive issues which are obvious and self-evident to others. The Against All Odds project is a starting point for removing the dividing lines and working with other disciplines, such as art and design, in order to find ways for each of us as citizens and professionals to contribute to the evolutionary process of society as a whole, to redefine our sense of identity at a time of great changes, both local and global.

The Against All Odds project is a mechanism that produces thoughts, ideas and actions.

Specifically, AAO is:
first, a ‘think-tank’: it promotes debate on occurring issues which need to be addressed within the framework of Architecture (in its wider understanding as spatial practice) regarding society, ecology and culture.
second, a ‘disseminator of ideas’: it raises public awareness on the value of Architecture (as spatial practice) in resolving significant current issues, as well as in offering a podium for the promotion of projects that address its main philosophy.
third, a ‘do-tank’: it sets targets for the fulfillment of which it creates partnership models with organizations, educational institutions and designers, becoming their strategic partner."

Okay, sorry to bore you, but I really liked the mission statement and explanation of their project. There's more, but you can read about it on their website (http://aaoproject.org/?page_id=1447).

This year, AAO's actions and events are under the title "Ethics/Aesthetics."

In the exhibition "twenty internationally celebrated architects, designers and artists from Europe, Asia and the US adopt various pioneering ways to devise new pratices for reinforcing social bonds and environmental protection, while transcending the established boundaries of architecture and the other spatial practices and redefining their role." It was broken into four sections:

1. Activism, Groups with Vision
2. Society & Aesthetics
3. Identity, Professional Ethics
4. Action - Reaction

A lot of these people should do TED talks.

A few of my favorites were "Worldbike," a more practical bike for use in third world countries, and various innovative and interesting ways to recycle.

"The Sun Gives Without Receiving"

Tree Stump Chair

At the end of the exhibit were "Slow Down Rooms." There were 8 "rooms" that "use mostly ephemeral materials to create inependent hybrid environments and to explore specific issues around the delineation of organic space and its potential reconstruction through the use of stereotypical materials, or unexpected cheap or discarded materials, and by means of alternative techniques with the emphasis on handicraft."

Slow Down Rooms

My favorite in the Slow Down Rooms was a "carpet" made entirely from spices:

Spice Carpet

• Contemporary Japanese Architecture

Various photographs and blurbs about Japanese religious, cultural, political and family buildings. Lots of really interesting and beautiful architecture. One structure that caught my eye was the "Reversible Destiny Lofts:"

"The designers of the Reversible Destiny Lofts are New York-based artists whose entire body of work is aimed at delaying death. They hope these apartments will be used by the elderly and infirm, but rather than following the prevailing trend toward barrier-free design, they intend the inhabitants to be challenged and stimulated. The multiple colors, shifting floor levels, and irrefular surfaces are all methods of enlivening people by forcing them to pay close attention to

their environment."

Reversible Destiny Lofts
(www.pinktentacle.com)

• ARRRGH! Monsters in Fashion

This is the reason I came to this museum. I had seen an add for this online as well as at the main Benaki Museum. It was creepy, weird and excellent.

• Mobile in NY

A Greek man's journeys through New York with his cell phone camera. Cool concept, interesting photos.

I am all packed up and ready to go to Paros! Our ferry leaves from Pireaus at 7:30 tomorrow morning, so we are getting up quite early to head down to the port. I am really looking forward to Paros. I think it will be a completely different experience, and I'm ready for a change of scenery.

Lesson of the Day

Athens has been interesting. Not really at all what I had expected, but I definitely learned much more than I had anticipated and the class-aspect of my time here was truly wonderful. As a city

itself, there are other places I'd rather be.

Photo of the Day

I think I need this sign in my everyday life...or atleast in my teen years it would've come in handy :)

The Count

Glasses of wine drinken: 107

Meals eaten at Chabad, Athens: 4
Jewish Museums visited: 2

Photos taken: 3587

Tomorrow

Paros!

I think we'll arrive around 10:00 and we don't have orientation until 6:00, so I have all day to settle in to my new home and explore the island!