THE FINAL SHOW and CLOSING OF KAFENEON

Wel.. 31 days later.. I thought this day would never come. kafeneon has more than exceeded all my expectations as many amazing people came together to help make it what it is. Couldnt have happened without those who volunteered equipment, time, and their presence to the many event that took place. THANKS TO ALL I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT!.. speaking of enjoying it.. weve got THE FINAL SHOW to check out. WOW! people once again came early and once again stayed late.. on the menu tonight.. a whole lot of video with performance sprinkled in for good measure.. and as kafeneon is a social project..some more great pictures of the general social atmosphere surrounding tonights CLOSING…here is the gathering crowdMy Uncle, Aunt and cousin showed up to show their support! Thanks guys My uncles says.. NOOOO PROBLEM!!!an outside gathering..Hey Yota, thanks for coming!outside kafeneonand an inside gathering..hey there Fellas, thanks for coming!and a gathering in the pantry closet, an action including immigrants all piled into the room.. while show audience are lured into interacting with the foreigners, one by one into the small.. hot … but lively space..Angelos takes the opportunity to talk to lovely immigrant Rosina in the closet..Some video viewing!OH WAIT… I looks like something else is going on.. lets go see… women in black setting some things up… while…Mary and well.. it looks like Mary.. wait in the wings with platters full of carrots.. to do the performance Double Action for Healthy Beauty. 4 Exception is Realityand then the performance began with alternating actions of violently chopping and discarding carrots…and brushing teeth and spitting…The performance ramped up to the point of Mary screaming at well.. um Mary, culminating in a percussive din of carrot chopping and eating, yelling, spitting, and finally… dental floss.. THAVMA!The performance ended with a face off of the two Marys, one brandishing a knife, while the other… well.. just a mean looking stare down and finally.. a slap across the cheek.. GREAT! here is an image of the final scene..Some post performance buzz..Evas Back!and now her front..Daphnie thinks that joke was funny and thats all that fucking matters!A happy Mary post performance with Demosthene..Ioannis whatching some video amongst the crowdGreat shot of the kafeneon Neon sign “noenefak”Fellow Fulbrighters Tracy Rosen and Elias (LOU) Rotsos sing the Fulbright Anthem….Wait.. i think something else is happening.. whats that?? Why YES.. it appears the immigrants in the closet are making their way out front of kafeneon.. lets have a look (photos courtesy of Elias (LOU)Continuing the Jennifer and Toby’s project “Hymn to Freedom” the group of foreign immigrantslined up outside of kafeneon.. facing the courthouse.. and began to sing the Greek National Anthem… GREAT!!!back inside continuing the project the immigrants were mingling with the crowd and handing out cards with their names and stories printed on them.. This one says.. “I have no papers. No job. I cant get my residence permission done. I love singing. I have been here for 7 years. The rose is more beautiful in Bangladesh.”Post performance atmosphereTongue series…and Alexandros still thinking i put to many pictures of people on the blog.. ITS A SOCIAL PROJECT MANNNNNN!… SOCIAL MEANS PEOPLE! Thanks for coming though!Irini’s amazing video “Boys”Christina finally made it to kafeneon! “She says.. wow.. where have i been these past 30 days?”GROOOOWLLWhatever i just told myself.. i found it funnyInge and Nikitas did tooChillllin“So then i pulled out my blaster and i said.. you know what Darth, i dont give a rats ass if your my father.. im about to bust a laser cap in your ass..”“HEY PAUL.. DO YOUR PERFORMANCE ALREADY”“YEAH MAN”FINE!!!!!! GRRROOOWLLhere i am getting my gear set up for my performance “The UBER Creation and Subsequent Destruction of the Universe. (How Many Performance Artists does it take to Change a Light Bulb.)”I started off reading a song lyrics i found on the internet.. the crowd was into it!Then.. i got prepared.. putting on work gloves, and pulling out a rope for a makeshift harness..With my situation secure.. and my bag attached…its time to go up! so using the winch, i started cranking with a great noise.I got to a certain height and was able to connect myself to the second mechanismand continue my elevation..reaching the top.. i started to reach in my bag of tricks and ….would unscrew a light bulb.. send it crashing to the floor with a big POP …repeating this action about eight times with the harness limiting my breathing…I hung a plastic flower from the final light bulb to the delight of the crowd..and then smashed it.. (notice the flower falling in this photo NICE EH?)Unhooking myself from one of the mechanisms.. i lowered myself safe and sound back to earth..and out the door!some residue from the performance….now lets see what the crowd thought.. Dionysis says “YESSSS”Tereza coudnt see a thingfriendly discussions about art no doubtSeb’s happy!Jennifer and friendsdiscussing my performance with some new friends..Elina poses with the signnotice the nice cieling.. YIKESDiscussing Performance no doubtI think ill give it another go.. but this time….Yota says.. “yeah.. that would be awesome..”“You Better not try that one!”Yeah.. your right..So thats it for THE FINAL SHOW.. and well i guess kafeneon.. time to close her down..I woke up relatively late considering i went to bed at 6.. and went down to kafeneon to see what i needed to do.. and while cleaning up bits of carrot ad glass..plastering holes and taking down equipment..and along with the smell of the day old spilled jug wine.. i was able to remember all the great lectures, screenings, work, cups of coffee and sleepless nights.. Thank you to everyone for your support, energy, critiques, ideas, and conversation. This has been an immense pleasure and i a successful project thanks to all that participated actively and passively. I hope to see more of these types of project spaces spring up from time to time.. keep your eyes open for the release of the kafeneon Month Book chronicling the month here at kafeneon, and if/when there is a kafeneon II.. youll be ther first to know.My deepest appreciation and sincerest thanks.Paul

Kafeneon Day 25

It finally came.. the last day in kafeneon.. and just like many others it was filled with art, conversation, curiosity, and people. I was pretty calm as i figured out a major component to my performance for THE FINAL SHOW, and having finished compiling the videos, i was able to sit back and enjoy the last day! Lets see what happened shall we? I started the day by documenting THE FINAL SHOW… the videos are all great, mostly all under 5 minutes and very interesting work. Here is the front room…

looking back

the middle room with a projection room behind.

peaking in to see a video by David Maroto

and another projection room off the this middle room

and a compilation of images from the video show…no particular order.. AMAZING STUFF!!!

this last day had everything a last day should have.. like some tire changing LOUUUUUU!

and what better to wash down some manual labor with than an amazing FREE cup of Greek Coffee

And Murray stopped by just as things started getting crazy with the performers and equipment started showing up. Just in time to have the LAST amazing FREE cup of Greek Coffee at kafeneon.. well done Murray

here Jennifer and crew talking through the nights events

While Mary and her posse discuss their plan

and thats it for the coffee here at kafeneon.. ive met some great people, brushed up my Greek, served a many amazing cup of FREE Greek Coffee, watched the neighborhood go by, and have had a great time! thanks to all who stopped by! and now its time for THE FINAL SHOW.. can hardly stand it anymore..!!!

Kafeneon Day 24

Well today is that last day of kafeneon.. it has been an amazing ride.. tonight is THE FINAL SHOW…you can see it all on tomorrows blog. Yesterday was a great day.. after about 72 hours on this thing THE FINAL SHOW is up and running with a few visitors….this kind woman came in to see Irini and Maria’s work.. I was still solving some issues with Marias … so she didnt get to see it.. problem is solved now.. COME BACK!

Then Pelli showed up to meet with Jennifer..

she didnt want coffee at first but with the time change.. Jennifer was tardy.. so.. she broke down and had an amazing cup of FREE Greek Coffee..

we had a great time waiting around for Jennifer.. and when she FINALLY showed up.. she begged me for a….

…THATS RIGHT! an amazing FREE cup of Greek Coffee..

I decided to join in the fun with my own..

Pelli and Jennifer left and i decided to read my coffee cup… I see a performance on the horizon what do you see?

This guy Stelios came by to see the show and what kafeneon is all about.. i have him the down low..thanks for coming by!

LOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!! hanging around in kafeneon getting some work done!

Tasos came back by to finally see everything working… and have an amazing FREE cup of Greek Coffee….here his is enjoying a video by Karla Milosevich

Tasos brought friends too…

and once again ladies and gentlemen.. Mary Zygouri who came by for a last look at the space before the her performance tomorrow.

thats right! THE FINAL SHOW… CLOSING March 31st 8:30… PERFORMANCE…VIDEO… BIG JUGS OF WINE… AND… WELL… FUN!

see you there..

Kafeneon Day 23

WOW.. well.. a few hours of sleep and up early to go buy what i needed to install THE FINAL SHOW (CLOSING MARCH 31 8:30 -but its open for viewing from 12) and back to kafeneon to do the impossible… it was… A little after i returned to kafeneon with dvd players, fabric, chords and such Dionysis, Dafni and Niko showed up to help.. at this point sleep deprived from capturing video i needed it..here is Niko

And always fun to have visits from the Lord of Death Dionysis…

Im tired of taking pictures of Dafnis hands.. but LOUIE showed up from Kalamata to have an amazing FREE cup of Greek Coffee…

LOUUUUUUUUUUUUU seems a little shocked by his coffee ground future..

Maria Theodorakis mom came buy and brought some amazing food from Alatsi.. She was soo cool and just dropped by to say hello.. unfortunately Marias video wasnt ready yet.. But man.. the food was GREATT!!!

And Dionysis brought some great strawberrys..

shooting the shit..

This guy Tasos came in to see the show, which i said before.. the impossible. not much ready yet.. but he’s in a video show at Booze Cooperative april 3-7.. I told him to return tomorrow to see it all going. Thanks for coming by..

And then shit started getting weird.. Dionysis got a great amount of pleasure (it was a little scary) from fingering these pillows..

And Tereza was curious so she tried it.. and judging by the look on her face … Dionysis was right..

the fun continued as guest kept showing up to watch me struggle away on my computer.. WHAT UP STELIOS AND SIFIS

AND TULA CAME TOO

every one was chatting.. drinking wine.. getting comfy.. like Stelios here..

and Nikos (O Philosophos) here.. like i said.. shit started getting wierd.. i think Dionysis said something about his pointy head?

Ohhh Pauul. his head wasnt THAT pointy proclaims Nikos

Ahhhh i need a cigarrete

This is pretty much what ive been doing for the last 72 hours

and occasionally this..

Tereza got a picture of me doing my best impression of my photo in the Athens Voice.. I think i look less mean in this one.

And finally.. most the videos going.. 12 hours after the show “opened” I discovered that if you throw a 2 euro coin enough times at the ground the middle pops out. Pretty cool actually good party trick.. seems to be entertaining the guys..

Well thats it for now..back to the computer.. wait.. im on the computer now.. WEEEEIIIIRRDDDD!! ..

SCREENING and LECTURE

The rain continued this day at kafeneon.. i have been lucky with the weather this month so no complaints here. plus i have the cool blue glow of the kafeneon sign to keep me warm and dry.. ahhhhhh.. SO.. its the third great event in a row this final week of kafeneon… I received a few more tv deliveries from the lovely people, who offered me their monitors even during tonights event.. Im very grateful to all those who selflessly offered their time, equipment or help to kafeneon AMAZING! speaking of amazing.. there is a Screening and a Lecture tonight.. so. heeeerrrreeeee we go.. first.. this picture…SEE i told you it was raining and notice the cool blue glow!

Here are some of those who braved the monsoon (really .. only a drizzle) to see the event…

A great group of great people in for a great night…greaaaaaaaaaat

Els from ITYS (who has curated a great show opening April 2nd) introduced video Journal No 1, which was first show at this past years Documenta in kassel Germany

A clip from the video

Dafni, Dionysis, and Nikos showed up with a tele and stayed for a bit.

the crowd with the cool blue glow from an HP projector

and after a short intermission and some a.v. switching around.. Aristede came to tell us about his project…He decided to speak in english even though there were only two of us who wouldnt understand what he was saying.. which was nice of him.. here he is now..

the audience into the lecture.. ahhh yeahhh

Here is Aristede explaining a schematic of his project…

Nadia intensely listening (she reviewed the photos after the lecture and gave me her stamp of approval) Thanks for coming Nadia

Pretty sure he called this a “Shit Lake” looks pretty nice to me.. but hey.. images can be deceiving

Irini asay.. “SHIT YEAHHHH…. SHIT LAKE”

did he just say “shit lake?” (while Inge contemplates the smell)

So Aristede delivered a great lecture.. as he finished to take some questions.. in the picture behind him are videos taken by robots in the water system to help pinpoint problems.

Aristede finishing his lecture

and a few stayed dry inside and continued the conversation

so thats it for the Screening and Lecture… Many thanks to ITYS and Aristede and I hope to see you all at the closing of kafeneon and THE FINAL SHOW on monday MARCH 31st at 8:30 and thanks to all for the help, see you back here soon!

Kafeneon Day 22

a gray rainy day in Athens.. trying to organize a few tv’s for THE FINAL SHOW (Monday March 31st 8:30)… figured some people might want to take shelter and enjoy a FREE cup of Greek Coffee… and i was right.. Inge and Nikitas showed up to deliver a TV but they werent in the mood for coffee…

Mary showed up while i was busy capturing video for the show to keep me company and to take some measurements of her own for THE FINAL SHOW here she is enjoying an amazing FREE cup of Greek Coffee…weather doesnt look so bad in this picture.. though.. but take my word for it.. it was raining…really.. nice picture though.. i think

Mary went on her way.. and my wonderful cousin Myrto came by with her old tv… you know those big clunk ones.. not the sexy new thin HD flatscreen type.. but what she brought me.. was perfect! Thanks Myrto you deserve a FREE Cup of Coffee. and you know it was amazing!

and that was about it for the coffee.. a few visitors but they each stayed a good length and kept me company while working on the computator.. which ive been on way too much lately! Tonight is the ITYS screening of the Hito Steyerl documentary and Aristide Antonas’ talk about he Cyprus water system.. cant wait.. im sure you cant either….

FILM SCREENING

Well the screening went great.. a great turnout of people who were greeted with Sushi.. i mean come on .. a japanese film.. gotta have sushi right? RIGHT! Some helpers rolling sushi while i got the Cineplex ready.. that is to say.. putting a projector on a table!

Dimitris showed up to present the Norwegian documentary Satan Rides the Media about Black Metal.. ROCK ON!

Here is some of the lovely people.. getting ready to attack the sushi and see some films!

Christina introduces the japanese movie Woman in the Dunes by director Hiroshi Teshigahara..

attentive movie watchers…

image from the movie which was great.. go rent it.. amazing textures, and cinematography..

Time for intermission.. and ill admit it.. kafeneon may be a lot of things.. but lacks comfortable seating for a 2 hour 20 minute film.. my ass hurt.. but the film took my mind off it!

many left after the first but those who stayed later were rewarded with an amazing documentary.. here is a schot of the screen…

Well thats it.. another successfull event at kafeneon… this is the final four days.. tonight a screening presented by ITYS of a short documentary by Hito Steyerl and a short lecture by Aristede Antonas.. hope to see you there.. and thanks again to Christina and Dimitris for offering the films..

Kafeneon Day 21

alll goood at kafeneon.. it started seeing this great article in the athens voice WORD UP!

somewhat slow today in kafeneon.. an architect came early to take measurements.. thats right.. the place is rented and will become………a cafe. She wasnt really into having her picture taken or drinking coffee.. so.. i let her be.. Yiorgos however came in to investigate whats up… he doesnt drink coffee but had a cup of water.. which is also FREE at kafeneon.. thanks for stopping by!

Then all the way from Amsterdam.. for a FREE cup of Greek coffee… Stefanos showed up to show his support…he has a great piece in the In Present Tense show at Megaro Musikis.. go see it soon.. it closes this weekend..

Stefano was excited to see the important detail of a cookie with his amazing cup of Free Greek Coffee.. cheers!

Well that was it for the day in kafeneon… i had to run some errands to prepare for the Screening tonight.. picture of this soon!

LECTURE #4 : CONTROL/CAPOEIRA

Not much in the way of coffee today but Andreas showed up for a pre-lecture FREE cup of amazing Greek Coffee..the force is strong with this one…

ARE YOU READYYY???? CAUSE ITS LECTURE #4 and WOW what a lecture….

You all ready?… “YEAH MAN”

Angelos and Kosta say FUCK YEAH… or something to that extent…

As the crowd gathers.. Nikitas reads up on kafeneon in Athinorama …

and Angelos shows his Capoeira style…

and his thoughts on what might go on in the Air Traffic Control Tower on Santorini…

Lets begin already… shall we ??? The audience seems ready…

Kostas is an air traffic controller on the island of Santorini.. they have no radar.. just radios, flight plans.. and volcanoes… Kostas delivered an open talk with much interest, questions and participation from the audience who seemed thoroughly interested in the nature of air traffic control. Here we see Kostas listening intently to a question from the audience.

and Stelios and Tula hanging on every word

this lady wandered in from the neighborhood.. Thanks for coming!

Kostas on Camera

My wonderful cousing Mytro and her friend Ada came for a listen…

and as Kostas continued …

Nikos started questioning flying ever again

a truely amazing lecture which was much enjoyed by the enthusiastic crowd..

time for intermission.. and Kostas was very happy with the experience.. werent you Kosta..

Stelios (aka Dylon) pulled me aside for a moment.. distraught about the closing of kafeneon…

BUT ITS OK STELIOS.. BECAUSE ITS TIME FOR CAPOEIRA….. Here is Allison beginning her lecture with a bit of video and the little known history of Capoeira.. i will be posting links to external capoeira sites shortly..

here we see a bit of the video…. I can do that…. just dont wanna….

and an amazing image one of the first depicting Capoeira

Allison passed out t-shirts from some of the different schools of Capoeira…

and continued explaining about the intensity, history and methods to a very attentive crowd.

Allison on camera…

Sofia limbering up to help Allison demonstrate…

And as she promised…chairs moved back… and Allison starts to demonstrate some basic moves of Capoeira..

so eaasy.. even I can do it….here i am ready to defend my Capoeira style to the death…

and then Allison and Sofia.. get crazzzzzyyyy….

and craazzziiierrr

While Illeana is mesmerized….. Nikos says.. I can do that … just dont wanna…

and.. of course some headstands to appease the audience..

they look appeased.. dont they?

winded.. and sweaty.. Allison fielded some great questions…

Well thats about it for LECTURE #4 .. hope you enjoyed it.. and since this is the final week of kafeneon.. there are a few more events for you to come and see… Nikitas says… good fucking lecture man….

and a group picture with the fantastic lecturers of the evening.. thanks Kosta and Allison!!!

Kafeneon Day 20

Well.. it was the last day of Evas wonderful show.. and as well Greek Independence Day… a national holiday… and like the other Greeks.. I took the day off.. THAT DOESNT MEAN KAFENEON TOOK THE DAY OFF!… Eva was kind enough to sit and make amazing FREE Greek Coffee while i went and lunched (and did laundry) at my Aunts. No Independence day would be complete without some sort of military posturing.. which is where I start.. no blue angels here.. just a few jets and helicopters and in honor of the Greek flag the sky cooperated with a little blue and white of its own… Evas first visitor was her friend from Crete her name is Maria.. she looks happy to see the show.. and Eva.. i assume. I returned… to find Eva, Dimitri and their friend Vassilis Eva was more than happy to supply me with an amazing cup of FREE Greek Coffee. Eva seemed a little intimidated by this cup.. i think she was nervous she was making it for me… but it was great! this is Evas friend Goerge who showed up a bit later… i was taking a nap!I came down just in time to get a picture of Eva on her great bike!Well 8 oclock came and it was time to deinstall.. if you didnt see the show TOO BAD! .. but. not to worry.. this is the last week of kafeneon and there is TONS to do.. here is Eva admiring her letters as she deinstallsEva showing how easy deinstall is when you got a great art bikeShows broken down and Eva and friends are out the door.. thanks for participating in kafeneon EvaJust when Eva left, Jennifer and Toby came by with some friends to discuss and rehearse for their performance this Monday the 31st for the CLOSING of THE FINAL SHOW and of course kafeneonhere is Jennifer with Rosina and Elena..Rosina.. all smiles as she should be.. she is in kafeneon…Hope to see you later this week at one of the great events i have planned at kafeneon