GCDN Annual Convening – Athens 2024

Experiencing live performance creates powerful, embodied moments for convening and reflection, whether that is encountering an unexpected dance performance in a public space or having a downtown stroll scored by a local musician. Performance artists all over the world have been harnessing that power to shape the social and physical character of their cities, attracting and engaging new audiences along the way. Many, especially post-Covid 19, have brought their performances and programs out of theaters and directly into nontraditional and unexpected locations, challenging how audiences regard public spaces and the way people move through them.

Join us on a guided journey through SNFCC park, where we will walk alongside local artists, exploring their original site-specific works and discussing the impact performance can have on creative placemaking strategies.

This includes 90 minutes of walking outside with limited shade. Wear hats, light clothing, and walking shoes, and please remember to bring water with you.

Format: A guided walk and performance experiences in the park.
As participants arrive at the session starting location, they will be given a colored sticker and list of guided questions to help spark explorative discussion. We will ask everyone to find other people with the same color sticker to pair up with on their journey. We will begin our guided journey through the SNFCC park to the first Artist Encounter. Attendees will discover and watch each performance before proceeding on the journey. In between performances, we will reflect on and discuss each encounter. There will be 3 Artists Encounters in total, each with ~10 minute performances. Walks in between encounters will be ~5 minutes.

All groups + artists will reconvene at the Park Kiosk for an open discussion and Q+A with the artists.