The group exhibition “Escapism” is the first of many artistic initiatives that will take place at the St. George Lycabettus Hotel.
The new, fresh, and renewed artistic identity of the SG Gallery has been undertaken by art consultant and curator, Theodora Koumoundouros.
Escaping reality is an innate impulse simmering within all of us—a shared need that drives us either to seek new stimuli or to evade our emotions.
One of the most common forms of escapism is traveling, which extends to checking into a hotel. The new environment, the scent of the room, the touch of fresh sheets, the ritual of dressing before a new mirror, room service—all the senses are activated by new stimuli. For a few fleeting hours or days, the mind and body exist elsewhere.
Hotel rooms are constantly occupied, and most of the time, they are nearly identical on every floor of the building. Even so, every room undergoes a transformation every time a new guest checks in. Hotel rooms have always been captivating—perhaps due to an aura of mystery that lingers in the space when they are inhabited. In the eerily quiet corridors, curiosity prevails. “What happens behind these doors? Who is staying there this time? What are their habits? Do they sleep with the TV on? Did they unpack their suitcase the moment they arrived, or do their clothes remain untouched inside? Are they there for a secret affair? Did they leave the minibar untouched? Will they be sad to leave, or are they counting down the moments until they return home?”
Such thoughts have intrigued many artists over the years, making hotel rooms a recurring subject of artistic exploration. For example, in Edward Hopper’s famous painting “Hotel Room,” we observe a lonely young woman sitting on the edge of a bed, lost in thought in an anonymous hotel setting. Similarly, Sophie Calle’s “The Hotel: Room 47” series documents hotel rooms and the traces left behind by their occupants.
The Escapism exhibition presents artworks that incorporate or symbolize elements commonly found in hotel rooms. Textile works reference the sheets and carpet of a room, while metallic textures or reflective surfaces evoke windows and mirrors. Even scent—often an imperceptible yet defining feature of boutique hotels—has been integrated into the curation of the exhibition. Finally, the artworks engage in dialogue with a carefully curated “staged corner,” simulating a hotel room furnished with collectible design pieces.
Each of these elements plays a vital role in the escape experience for guests. Just as a hotel room awakens and renews the senses of its visitors, the artworks in this exhibition will engage and activate the senses of those who explore them.
The exhibition aims to merge the need for escape with the heightened curiosity inspired by hotel rooms.
Participant Artists: Lisa Bravi, Elli Ioannou, Bety Krňanská, Olga Miliarisi-Foka, Alexandros Douras, Sotiris Panousakis, Bregje Sliepenbeek, Dionysis Sotovikis, Marios Stamatis.
Curator: Theodora Koumoundouros
Design: Kyveli Zoe
Graphics: Isobel Vasilopoulou
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 13, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Exhibition Duration: February 14 – April 12, 2025
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM or by appointment.
