Greece in USA: ‘The Right to Breathe’

Greece in USA launches the second iteration of its program for the internationalization of Greek Culture in the USA. The group exhibition “The Right to Breathe” (through October 7) takes as a starting point the “shortness of breath” derived from the experience of political pressure, social injustice, and economic austerity, exploring its connection with poetics, live art, and embodied politics.

The topic of breathability that the exhibition identifies and aims to historicize also provides an insight into the ongoing revaluation of criminal justice reform.

The exhibition, with the participation of 100 Greek artists, can be seen at Undercurrent.nyc and is in dialogue with “The Right to Silence?” at Anya and Andrew Shiva Gallery, John Jay School of Criminal Justice (CUNY).

Drawing from the 5^th Amendment Right, the exhibition features pieces by 43 Greek and Cypriot artists visual and performing artists that attempt to uncover the profound and complex sense of silence that characterizes the prison industrial complex. The pieces investigate whether art and aesthetics can break the silence about crucial political issues such as mass incarceration and criminal justice reform.

The projects take place in the context of Greece in USA.

Greece in USA is a New York City-based organization that promotes Greek culture in the U.S. Founded by Dr. Sozita Goudouna, Greece in USA is launched under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, with the group exhibition “The Right to Silence?” on the reform of criminal justice. The first iteration is presented at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) until July 31, 2021, with the participation of 43 Greek and Cypriot artists, while the second parallel program was launched in May 14, 2021, at Seneca Village and at Undercurrent.nyc with the group exhibition “The Right to Breathe” with the participation of 100 Greek artists.