Under Pressure

"Under Pressure" is a political statement against the re-elected Greek government's persistent pressure on artistic freedom. Whether through policies or direct measures, artists in Greece have found themselves under pressure.

 

It all began in 2021 following the second lockdown. The Greek government, which ranked Greece 108th in press freedom, attempted to push through legislation enabling censorship across various mediums: publications, websites, music, and art. While this attempt has been halted by widespread protests and clashes during the pandemic, the threat is still present.

 

Fast forward a year, and the government reclassifies higher artistic education, diminishing its status to secondary education. This cruel decision ignited massive protests in Athens, once again, which led to the occupation of The National Theatre of Greece and the resignation of all professors, expressing their solidarity with the protesters.

 

In December 2023, artist Georgia Lale's piece, featuring a pink Greek flag adorned with sheets donated by female victims of gender violence, was forcibly removed from the Consulate General of Greece in New York, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' intervention. The artwork served as a tribute to the victims of femicide, amplifying their voices through artistic expression.

 

The unrelenting pressure and attacks on artists, post the government's re-election, are deeply concerning.

 

If we fail to act now, who will?