Escape into the World of Illusion | Athens​

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Back to Athens 2025 International Art Meeting 
Isaiah Mansion, 65 Patision, Athens, Greece
25. June – 29. June, 2025

​Opening: Wednesday, 25. June 2025, 16:00 – 22:00
Hours: Monday – Sunday 16:00 – 229:00

«escape into the world of illusion​» is a diptych of two exhibitions organized by APART Art Research and Applications. The first entity was hosted in the context of the major art event "Back to Athens 2025 International Art Meeting" at the iconic Isaia Mansion in Athens. The second part is presented in Vienna, at SPLITART PROJECTS Art Space. 
«escape into the world of illusion​» is realised under the auspices and the financial support of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Coordinated/ produced by CHEAPART, Supporting bodies, Bundesministerium für Wohnen, Kunst, Kultur, Medien und Sport, Austrian Embassy Athens, Das Land Steiermark, Upper Austria, zoia, with the participation of Athens Intersection Cultural Program and ARTmART

«escape into the world of illusion​» is an Athens–Vienna exhibition diptych exploring the line between reality and illusion. When current conditions, surroundings, and emotions become overwhelming, we often seek escape into a temporary and enhanced pseudo- world. Although each narrative differs, ranging from the emotive film featuring plastic super heros to the timeless battle between good and evil, the setting is always given in excessive luxury and glamour in the style of a Hollywood production.

The well-timed "happy ending" brings redemption and relief, clearing dark thoughts. The constant drive for success and status becomes a futile chase, ending in a dramatic withdrawal. Ideologies of broader political, sporting, or religious subcultures often arise from the failure to meet goals, replacing them with imaginary solutions to real problems, without, providing a viable solution. Art thrives on this, becoming the sole force able to shape a parallel world. Its rich landscape of ideas and creations fosters a unique ecosystem of heroic symbols and imagined crises, offering the perfect escape into illusion.

Artists: Viktoria Andreeva, Marianna Athanasiou, Despoina Vaxevanidi, Alina Grabovsky, Dean Maassen, Helen Mesadou, Semina Milarokosta, Olga Pastekova, Roman Pfeffer, Michael René Sell.​

Escape into the World of Illusion (June 25 - June 29, 2025) Curated by: Georg Georgakopoulos
Escape into the World of Illusion (November 17 - November 23, 2025, SPLITARTPROJECTS, Wien) 
​Curated by: Georg Georgakopoulos, Michalis Argyrou