UrbanDig Omonia

A synopsis of UrbanDig_Omonia (video: George Gounezos)

UrbanDig_Omonia (2016-2017) is a 12 month program of research, artistic and place-making activities in the main square of Athens focusing on its diminishing public space.  It involves a growing voluntary community of artists, researchers, shop-owners and local users creating and participating in open public space research and community activities on "What makes Omonia a square? What could make Omonia a better square for the people who use it and the market around it?  What is the importance of its public space?"   Researching these questions entails combined artistic/research and place-making local interventions open to all.  The results of the process, apart from the open archive and the UrbanDig_Omonia community itself are: 
- "The Village" App, approprating Omonia as a square, with input coming from its users.  A collaboration with volunteer artists, Company New Heroes / NL and with the support of I.F. Kostopoulos Foundation   
- A site-specific performance, part of Athens and Epidaurus Festival, on Omonia square inspired by the needs of its people, leaving a trace on the green and the colors of its public space
- A series of songs inspired by the stories told by local shop owners about Omonia
- A series of public space activities and tours on, around the square and inside Athens Bienalle's "Bagkeion" 
- A study on Omonia's resilience for the 100RC Office of the Municipality of Athens
- An activity as part of ATA (Alternative Tours of Athens)'s participatory design of Xouthou street field into a public garden.  A collaboration with Ideas Factory / BG & Caritas Hellas as part of Tandem Europe Program