You had a brilliant idea with Artrove to bring together shop windows, galleries and artists. What inspired you to create this concept, and what was the greater vision behind it?
Thank you! I appreciate your enthusiasm! The Voukourestiou district felt like the perfect setting, mostly pedestrian, creating a natural and fluid promenade for creative dialogues dedicated to contemporary art in a Greek branded context. Athens is a city that constantly pulsates with artistic proposals of all kinds, and that energy felt like the perfect backdrop for ArtRove.mI had already developed and realised this concept on a smaller scale in London and Paris, working directly with one brand and one artist at a time.
For Athens, I wanted to take the idea further and develop it in a new way: working with galleries and curatorial platforms rather than directly with artists, and bringing together 12 collaborations across the district.
What were the greatest challenges you faced throughout the project?
(Smiling) To convince the potential participants that never heard of me to take part in a totally new adventure and to respect my deadlines. It was also challenging to manage slow flow to last minute turbo speed yet keeping calm and staying available to every single wishes. For the first edition I kept it flexible and open as I had to prove that the commitment was worth it!
Now that the initiative has been realised and you’ve had the chance to see how people have responded to it, do you feel you achieved what you set out to do? Did you see people engaging with and enjoying the experience?
I am so very happy about the overall positive response and about the new content created for all participants: the brand owners, some of whom are art collectors and therefore easy to collaborate with; the gallerists, who are glad to bring greater awareness to their artists; and, to push the performers for their first time in an urban context. I am so grateful to the artists who were present and, of course, to the ArtRovers, as well as my project supporters :the Municipality of Athens and Panas Group.
I’m delighted by the response so far. Some ArtRovers connected with an artist during the opening, others loved a particular collaboration or the how the works were specifically curated for the brands. And now, I’m already receiving requests for the next edition, which is perhaps the nicest compliment of all.
Did Artrove succeed in bringing art into the spotlight in the way you had envisioned? And, ultimately, are you satisfied with the outcome?
Yes, because it surprised everyone from the brands hosting the artworks to the galleries and artists seeing their works in street windows. Giving the possibility to see contemporary art in a different context.
What would you recommend to someone visiting Athens now and embarking on this great art walk through the city centre? Is there a particular route, artwork or stop they shouldn’t miss?
Following the change of guards at Syntagma, discover close by 12 artistic collaborations curated by Artrove Athens, the first art hunt starting at Naxos Apothecary, then Kalogirou, Callista, Kessaris, have a break at Athenee, continue towards Zolotas, Enny Monaco, Drizos, Christakis, Pentheroudakis, stop at Lozenge Hotel for a drink on the terrace and visit Aesthet. I invite the Artrover to halt and take a moment, connect with the artworks, photograph the dedicated QR code and learn more about the collaboration and the artist’s practice. This is the emotion I’d like to trigger.
What do you consider the strongest points of ArtRove? Which aspects of the initiative do you feel have worked particularly well and should not be missed?
The strongest point is to take your time Artroving (wander about looking for artistic discoveries) in the elegant Voukourestiou neighbourhood to discover unique artistic dialogues. Fill your eyes and sensation levels to the maximum and open up to the emotions you feel while the artworks are watching you!
Where throughout the project can guests discover expressions of Greece’s authenticity and cultural identity?
Well, Artrove Athens’s first edition is precisely dedicated to Greek brands collaborating with Greek galleries and Art projects. Most of the artists presented are Greek but it wasn’t a requisite. We have a balanced number of female and male artists which was important to me. The authenticity and cultural identity is their own interpretation that comes from experience, knowledge and practice.
Is there anything you would change, looking back on the experience? And what will you carry with you, in your heart, from the entire journey?
That’s a lovely question. My heart is filled with the many smiles, joy and happiness felt creating this initiative for Athens, my muse that sparked the idea to launch this original project. Cheers to the participants of Artrove Athens edition one, that shared the same vision and thought me more about Greek modus operandi and passion.
Which artists have contributed to your project and in what ways? Did the boutiques respond to the initiative with enthusiasm?
The most important part was getting the artist–brand match right. Their work had to reflect the brand’s values, create harmony and tell a coherent story yet with its own identity and character. That balance was key. Most of the brands and galleries know each other, that helped a lot with my curation.
How did you see everyday passers-by and visitors to Athens respond to the initiative? What kind of reactions did you notice from people who encountered it unexpectedly as they moved through the city?
Well, it’s an invitation to enjoy a new experience, to connect differently with each artistic collaboration, for their own special reason. Mostly, I received great comments about the accurate artist selection and how effortlessly each work dialogues with its environment. ArtRove Athens is about beauty, discovery, and finding new ways to access and connect to contemporary art and design within the rhythm of the city.
Has the final result fulfilled your vision? Is it everything you imagined when you first conceived the project?
Yes I am truly grateful my vision became the reality I had in mind. 12 collaborations for a first edition is a great result and I thank all the participants to have agreed to commit to Artrove.
Now that you’ve seen it come to life, what new horizons do you see opening up for you?
I had already curated three exhibitions in Greece repurposing marble leftovers, one in Athens and two on Hydra. So now, I guess more curations and artistic collaborations in Athens or Greece in general. I really enjoy my life here. Athens has become my happy place and Artrove’s success convinced me to push it further, amplify the program in the coming years and pursue new cultural initiatives.
What is your connection with Greece?
At first family holidays on islands
Followed by nothing for a long time. Then, three years ago marble brought me for the first time to Athens. A new project to curate an art residency followed by an exhibition about repurposing leftovers. I fell completely in love with the city, the vibe and the way it had developed artistically, the foundations, museums. The gastronomy improved but what touched me most is the unique generosity of the Athenians. So fresh and welcoming.
What are your plans for the future? What would you like to explore or create next?
During Milan Design Week next April, I am a guest curator for Barovier & Toso.
More artistic magic will unfold in Greece and of course prepare Artrove’s next edition in 2027 opening up to more design and international collaborations.
Why did you choose Athens and what makes the city unique in your eyes?
Athens is a muse for creativity from its extraordinary heritage to a pulsating art scene its unique retro-layed-back vibe
The many influences and communities for multiculti experiences
Which are your 10 best in the city?
Filoppapou Hill
My pharmacy, where they craft their own essential oils and homeopathic remedies
Voukourestiou District
The night lighting of the Acropolis by Eleftheria Deko
Restaurants : Seychelles, Manari, Me in kolonaki
Beeswax Candles and organic incense in agias filotheis street, Plaka
Silver Ex votos
Eleni Marneri Gallery
Old city Hammam & Spa
The mini ice creams in all the bakeries
What is your personal definition of beauty?
Harmony
Nature
Fulfilment
Charisma
What does authenticity mean to you today?
To me, authenticity is that special magic you feel when you can sense that someone’s heart has truly been put into what they do.
When you allow yourself to be completely, unapologetically who YOU are.
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