Art in the heart of cities

By Nafsika

 

Strolling around in a city, I feel so happy 

when I bump into a wall painting.  

First of all, I feel grateful because 

I admire this beauty and I escape 

from my anxiety. In particular, when I worked in Athens, 

I used to check my watch because 

I was in a hurry every single moment of my day. 

However, the sight of graffiti reminds me to take 

a little break and a deep breath. 

Furthermore, art transforms grey ugly buildings 

or rubbish bins into masterpieces. 

So, I had more reasons to stop running around the clock. 

Moreover, art enables me to dream with open eyes 

through time or around the world. 

One scene may remind me of something 

that really happened or may awaken some 

desires about my future plans. Except that, 

I strongly believe that paintings narrate 

some stories either of a place or a person 

(well-known or not). Sometimes, 

revives a significant part of history or culture 

in a more approachable way to the public. 

In addition, based on my own experience, 

art constitutes another form of communication 

that connects people and allows them 

to express themselves. For example, 

a painting represents feelings such as fear, 

love or anger and the situations which cause them. 

Sometimes art is a path to protest against violence, 

wars or injustice. Proof of that? 

Famous –historical paintings like Guernica (Picasso), 

Chios Massacre (Delacroua) or modern paintings 

such as Banksy graffiti’s.

In general, I strongly believe that making art 

is a way to concentrate, clear your mind and be creative. 

For that reason, humans choose art in hard times 

in order to  feel free and cope with several feelings. 

So it’s vital to have art in our lives, because 

“Earth without art would be just eh”*. 

 

* The phrase "Earth without art would be just eh" 

is a saying attributed to comedian Demetri Martin 

Athens       

Keramikos

 

Korydallos

       

 

Chaidari 

       

 

 

   

  Agia Varvara 

    Metro, Syntagma 

Aigaleo 

Chios Island

   

            

Crete

   

       

Hungary

         

Lesvos Island, in the city centre, Mytilene