Synopsis
The argument animating from this work is that, when a focus is kept on practices, Athens emerges as an object multiple. That is to say that Athens is neither to be understood as exclusively singularly, nor exclusively a plural ‘object’ — as perhaps also the English plural naming of the city suggests. By tracing what is being presenced and absenced in relation to Athens, and the ways in which this is done, how Athens is constantly been brought about is analysed. As such, Athens emerges as an outcome of complex sets of practices that are partly in coherence, and partly in tension. Two entry points are taken in this analysis: an art walk across the centre of Athens as organized by an artist; and ο Μεγάλος Περίπατος (The Great Promenade), as planned and implemented by the current Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis. These two ‘walks’ juxtaposed with the aim of tracing a host of processes involved in the coming about of the Greek capital. Simultaneously, this analysis will render tangible the politics involved in the makings of ‘Athenses’.
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