The Athens Polytechnic graffiti that appeared overnight on the exterior of the building on the 6th of March 2015 made the national news. It might not be there for long, so here are some photos before they are erased forever.
Athens Polytechnic Graffiti Photos – Outside
It seems likely that the exterior of the building will be cleaned, if it is even possible, over the coming weeks.
How they managed to create this without anyone noticing is something else.
Athens Polytechnic Street Art
In Athens, the street artists are amazingly creative. The Athens Polytechnic and the surrounding Exarchia area are at the heart of this.
It is a breeding ground for the political and social alternative, and this has for a long time been expressed on the interior of the polytechnic. The inside is covered in graffiti. But never before the outside.
Inside Athens Polytechnic University
The inside of the Athens Polytechnic has long been covered in graffiti.
No one is likely to remove the Athens polytechnic graffiti from inside.
The Athens Poly seems to be a law unto itself.
Welcome to Athens Polytechnic!
On the 6th March the outside of the building was sprayed. It provoked calls of vandalism from some corners. It embodied a bigger political statement from others. How it was created without anyone either noticing at the time, or even caring, is probably equally important.
The result was, that a national monument had been defaced. And yet the truth is, the interior of the polytechnic had been this way for some while.
What was the difference now? Why was this act significant? Is society happy for people to express themselves as long as they do it privately? Or is this a bigger political statement?
Interested in finding out more about Athens? Check out these other Athens blog posts:
Natalie says
I actually like it!
Vicky and Buddy says
Wow! That’s so crazy! Street artists can be so creative. And quick!
Izabela says
Well, probably I’m in the minority but I would say that (unfortunately) most of the graffiti are simply… ugly. I’d really prefer to see nice, plain or colorful walls in a neat city rather than a content of rather questionable quality…
Raphael Alexander Zoren says
I really love the street art of Athens! It’s a city with so much life!
Yvonne says
I am on the fence on graffiti. Sometimes it really does add something to the murals, but other times it just looks messy and ugly.
Gloria @NomadicChica says
I’ve found so many interesting things on my visit to Athens that really surprised me, but was not aware about the street art. Interesting how they could manage to do this without any notice, uh?
Dave Briggs says
I think how they did it so quickly without anyone noticing is incredible! The street art here is some of the best I’ve seen… if you head back this way, be sure to check it out!
Sue Reddel says
How unusual. The creativity is inspiring. But the graffiti on the public buildings? Just doesn’t seem right.
Meg @ Mapping Megan says
Interesting – thanks for posting this and offering a new perspectove – that’s some impressive work to have just popped up overnight! I’m constantly amazed at the skill of graffiti artists, though to do something of this scale and overnight when I’m assuming there wasn’t much light, that’s even more so.
Funny how it’s either art or vandalism depending on who you ask!
Toni | 2 Aussie Travellers says
Amazing that they managed to paint that in one night and without anyone noticing. It looks really good, like art not the destructive tagging and graffiti seen in so many cities.
Jennifer says
I visited Greece recently and really enjoyed the street art. It was actually interesting meeting an actual street artist there who hated street art that was more accessible – images that spoke to everyone rather than a play on letters that spoke only to other graffiti artists. A debate within a debate within a debate.
Fiona says
Fabulous graffiti! We have some wonderful street art in the East End of London these days but I haven’t seen anything like that