“What can an art institution do when it claims to care?” This question resonates deeply within the walls of State of Concept, a non-profit contemporary art institution. It stands as a haven for those seeking truth in a world saturated with misinformation.
Founded in 2013 by art critic and curator iLiana Fokianaki, State of Concept resides in the Koukaki neighborhood of Athens. It is an independent platform. The institution fosters appreciation for local and international contemporary art. It also nurtures artistic and curatorial practice.
State of Concept hosts exhibitions. Public programs, events, and workshops are also staples here. It offers free one-to-one tutorials to artists and students. These consultations occur throughout the year. They provide guidance to young professionals.
Since its beginning, State of Concept has examined power structures. These structures relate to geopolitics, national identity, and cultural histories. The institution strives to deconstruct ideologies. These ideologies maintain power imbalances and injustices.
Operating as a bridge, State of Concept connects Athens to the international art scene. Its focus is artistic practices. They address social, economic, and political phenomena. Greece, with its financial crisis, provides a unique vantage point. It allows cultural practitioners to rethink the Western canon.
The institution views itself as a form of power. It examines institutional critique from within. Thematic chapters take the form of “ministries” and “bureaus.” This approach redefines institutional building. It challenges white Western, Eurocentric legacies. The program responds to precarious conditions. It also addresses global sociopolitical realities from a feminist perspective.
State of Concept collaborates with institutions abroad. Exhibitions and programs have traveled to Amsterdam. Ljubljana, New York, Paris, and Rotterdam are some locations.
“Truth will not take Care of itself” is a driving question here. It inspires the relationship between social and environmental justice. The institution proposes itself as a space. Misinformation and right-wing propaganda can be contested here. Informed data and facts are presented through a people’s forensics.
The “Coalition of the Care-full” is a key initiative. It addresses the diminishing of care in human life. This decline results from neoliberal austerity policies. The global pandemic made it even more visible. The program aims to re-think what type of care can be enacted towards the work of art.
State of Concept began a series of exhibitions. It’s called Bona Fide. It promotes young Greek and international artists and critics. Bona Fide means “in good faith”. It strengthens dialogues between young practitioners. It creates a space for new discourse on contemporary art.
Another chapter of programming is entitled “Gossips”. It is inspired by Sylvia Federici’s book “Witches, Witch-hunting, and Women.” The program reclaims the word “gossip”. It was once a term of comradeship among women. Now, it carries a negative connotation.
“Xen(i)os” addresses the histories of hospitality and care. It relates to multi-cultural policies. The thematic develops hospitality in relation to the Other. The title derives from “Xenios Zeus.” He was known for his hospitality.
State Affairs is an exhibition chapter. It dedicates itself to artists working with video. The practices focus on thematics. These practices involve racism, religion, and futurism.
As you leave State of Concept, remember its mission. It is a beacon of truth. It challenges power structures. It promotes care in a world that desperately needs it. Its work inspires critical thought and positive change.