The Munich-based architect and visual artist Sofia Dona is part of the curatorial team of Aphrodite*, a four-day programme of screenings and workshops that will be held at this year’s Athens Festival. The artist takes part in the exhibition Förderpreise 2018 with her work WINTERSCHLAF and is nominated for the Architecture Prize. Förderpreise 2018 is held biannually in Munich, presenting the work of new, up-and-coming artists from the fields of visual arts, architecture, design, photography and jewellery. This year’s exhibition will take place on March 23 – May 27.
WINTERSCHLAF opens up, transports and presents one of the winter fountain covers of Munich, in suspension. Covering the water for winter time, these wooden structures protect the foun- tain materials from cracking or braking in case of frost. Inside the gallery space, the structure is highlighted as the fountain is absent. Gärtnerplatz, one of the most vibrant public spaces in the city, is uncovered in advance opening up for the beginning of the new season, while the others still stay in sleep. WINTERSCHLAF is questioning the decorative fountains as pieces of architecture in the city, their history, their use to capture and hold precious drinking water, and how they have been forming spaces of encounter. WINTERSCHLAF refers to the things that remain well hidden under the excuse of safety precautions.
Aphrodite* consists of four days of film screenings, video performances, documentaries, workshops and discussions on the relationship between contemporary art and gender performativity, focusing on the artistic and political dimensions/properties of the body, the politicization of gendered bodies and identities, and social and political activism, to name a few.
The project is realzied as part of the Festival section Opening to City – Athens and will be held between 14-17 June at the open-air cinema Lais and other venues.
