BE THE CHANGE – ATHENS

During this time of accelerated globalization and rapid changes in our environment, people in countries around the world are being affected in different ways. Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to share the human stories that unite us as world citizens.

Via French artist, JR's, Inside Out Project, 17 cities around the world have joined forces in a Global Action called BE THE CHANGE. The aim of this action is to bring awareness to the issues we want to change, make citizens aware of their responsibilities and capacity to contribute to the changing world, and inspire creative solutions to make these changes possible! We believe this change must come from within each individual in order for us to move forward collectively and bring about positive change worldwide.

The 17 participating cities have each taken 250 portraits, which will be printed, sorted and shipped to each country. An equal number of the 250 portraits will be redistributed within each country so that when the portraits are pasted on the walls, we will all be standing shoulder to shoulder as global citizens. (For example, Mulhouse, France will post 15 portraits from Greece, 15 from Mexico, 15 from Tunisia, etc.) In the end, BE THE CHANGE will include almost 5,000 portraits as part of this "global photographic ex-change."

On Friday, September 21, 2012, in honor of World Peace Day, the participants and local communities in each city will be invited to gather in a simultaneous evening "gesture" event to write the word PEACE using a portion of the portraits to officially launch the BTC posting on Saturday. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to engage in a dialogue based on sharing and collaboration, using art as a catalyst for social change.

Then, on Saturday, September 22, 2012, the 250 portraits will be simultaneously posted in selected outdoor urban locations in all of the participating cities. Each portrait will also be uploaded to the Inside Out Project Official Website and will include the person's name, location, and a personal message relating to their respective human, natural and urban environment, in the format of a wish or a statement.
Additionally, large-scale posters representing the 5 participating continents will be given to each group and posted in emblematic locations in the city center (TBC pending budget and local logistics on the ground).

The BE THE CHANGE Athens Group Action in collaboration with the City of Athens are finalizing the last details to host the exhibition. The public display will take place in five strategic locations in the city center including,

POSTING LOCATIONS
• Kalimarmaro (Sept 21st-17PM)
•Academias Platonas (Sept 22nd- 11am)
•Elementary school ( Sept 22nd- 14h)
•Panepistemiou Avenue (Sept 22nd- 15h)
•Omonia (Sept 22ndp 18pm) PORTRAITS PROJECTIONS
•Panepistemiou ( Sept 16th- 23rd) from sunset to dawn
•Omonia Square ( Sept 16th- 23rd) from sunset to dawn
•Technopolis Fougaro ( Sept 16th- 23rd) from sunset to dawn

PORTRAITS DISPLAY ON KEPS LECDS SCREEN THROUGHOUT ATHENS CENTER From September 16th - 23rd, the City of Athens will be featuring Be the Change portraits from all over the world Block Party: Omonia l (Sept 22nd from 19pm -) Live Music, DJs, Performing Art, International Gastronomy Be the Change Website http://iopbethechange.meld.cc/