Volos (Greece)
In connection with her AIR-application the Greek architect and artist - born and currently living in Volos - introduced herself by two former works she created in 2015 and 2018:
Art - The Invisible Cities Project
Artistic representations of the 55 cities described in the book ‘’Invisible Cities’’ of I. Calvino. Every painting reflects the architectural and urban characterics of the narrations. I chose not to draw the human factor and the everyday life of each city, in order to highlight the fact that although the cities differ due to architectural and geographical factors, they can be perceived as a sequel of the same city. The paintings are made with acrylics on canvas (18x25 cm each).
Architecture - Preservation of Heritage
Researches and projects for the valorization of the railway station of Volos (Greece). This project is about the surveying of the twelve buildings that form the area of the railway station and their restoration, as well as the regeneration of the area by creating a new park dedicated on the exhibition of carriages and trains. A main concern is to connect the new park to the city and to the mayor sights. This aims to give back to the area her lost identity and to revitalize this part of the city.
During her AIR-residency in Krems she once again wants to deal with this former theme:
The project includes a series of photographs that capture images of buildings that are part of the Greek heritage. They are examples of the Athenian Neoclassical Architecture and are protected by law. The project is focused on the area of the city center of Athens.
Through the years many permits have been released from the authorities that violate the architectural characteristics of those buildings. Roofs with tiles have been demolished, the interiors have been altered completely, new volumes have been added without taking into consideration the pre-existence. This practice is against the theories of the disciplines of restoration and preservation of architectural heritage, as in many examples the only part of the buildings that has been preserved was just a slice of the facade.
Architectural heritage has been handled to the next generation as a testimonial of architectural styles, of how people used to live and of how contemporary life has changed. What is the sense of “preserving” parts of buildings when massive interventions are imposed on them? Constructors are changing part of the history by modifying significant architectures using irremovable and unsustainable materials on the extensions.
What is the “Legal” and what is the “Illegal”? What is the relationship between them? When does Legal (according to authorities) become Illegal (according the common sense)? How willing are we to sacrifice our heritage in the name of profit?
These images and the concept will be taken from Athens to Krems an der Donau. There will be an examination of some buildings of the same period (19th cent.) in order to point out similarities and differences on the way that they were preserved and on the new activities that are hosted in there. In addition a study of how contemporary architecture dialogues with the preexistence will be made (in the city of Krems). The final goal will be to contrast the material that was selected in Athens with the Austrian. By comparing photographs, sketches, historical images (for the cases that such material can be found) and representations of the volumes, there will be a conclusion about the good practices of architectural preservation and of the construction of new elements on historical contests.
Website - Nikoletta Pana: https://www.instagram.com/nikoletta_pn/
The Artist in Residence is an interdisciplinary program for foreign architects, artists, musicians, and writers that was brought to life by the administration of Lower Austria with the intention of stimulating international cultural exchange and intercultural dialogue. Each year, different artists are chosen to receive scholarships.
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