Summary: Greece is currently in a severe debt crisis but through all this, a bright light is still shinning. Much artistic activity is now taking place; seeming as though this crisis is inspiring myriads of art in all areas of art such as music, sculpting, writing, etc. Athens is the center of most of this artistic activity. There is a new energy that is forming that has not been seen anywhere else in the slow moving Mediterranean. Art galleries are thriving, painters are creating gems of artwork, filmmakers are capturing the reality of Greece's familiar conditions and turning it into a new strange uncertainty. An artist, who goes by Bleeps.gr, paints on buildings throughout the neighborhood of Psiri. One of his paintings portrays a woman clutching a sack of euros with a golden halo around her. Written on the halo, in Greek, were the words "Forty Years+Debtocracy." This referred to the restoration of Greece in 1974 after a seven year dictatorship, which ultimately led to today's debt. The artist claims that the woman is wondering what is going to happen. Another painting of his, portrays a model on a catwalk against a blue backdrop, which is labeled "Greece, the next economic model."These paintings reflect the frustration and pain the people within Greece are suffering from. And the artist is accurate when he writes "Greece the next economic model." Greece is becoming the country to NOT be; the country used in an example of economic failure. Many films were created to show the change Greece is going through and within these films, there seems to be a cry for the past. How things used to be seemed refreshing to the people. A play called "Antigone," sent a strong message to its audience saying: "What do we owe the family, and what do we owe the state? As the Greek crisis unfolds, these ancient questions are made painfully real. And another generation of Greek artists is asking them anew."My Opinion?- I believe that the artists are bringing optimism to the people and themselves about their countries current state. However, I scanned through a few other works of Bleeps.gr's and found his art a bit controversial because he is a protester and a bit of a rioter himself. Being Greek, it is extremely disheartening and embarrassing that Greece has gotten to where it is today: People rioting in the streets, vandalization, loitering, and bankruptcy. This is not how the situation should be dealt with. A bright side to the artwork however, may enlighten the citizens of Greece and calm them a bit because the art expresses the frustration and apprehension that many people are feeling. This hopefully will calm the riots and poor behave of the people. I do not believe the increase in artistic activity will cure Greece of its debt drama and economic issues, but it will hopefully entice the citizens of Greece to relax and push through these hard times in an orderly, civilized manner. No one wants Greece to become that "economic model."
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