The iconic axis of Aristotelous is a distinct landmark of contemporary Thessaloniki and the main core of economic activity and social interaction. In addition, it is the most important open public space within the densely populated fabric of the city. The historic urban route, despite its relative homogeneity and strict geometry, incorporates complex urban design parameters, while fitting seamlessly into the landscape and articulating along its course connections with main traffic routes and important urban functions. From the Ancient Agora until the waterfront plaza of Aristotelous, this place acts as an urban condenser that engenders in multiple ways a sense of ‘ownership’ to its various users, while allowing a harmonious cohabitation between them.
The importance of Aristotelous is in fact reflected in the social media activity of the citizens and visitors of Thessaloniki. The rise of popularity of social networking platforms over the last decade, enables users not only to share their personal preferences, but also to interactively shape trends of human behavior and urban patterns. Their online posts provide real-time information about public space, its inhabitants and its various functions. Arguably, this networking and sharing is an alternative way of living together, especially during the current global pandemic. As a kind of online meeting and exchange of ideas, it explores new levels of consciousness of place, though it could not substitute the real experience of public space and psychical social interaction.
For instance, Aristotelous is featured in social media platforms through personal perspectives of various users. The axis, as a case study, was specifically investigated through the application “Instagram”. Instagram focuses on posting photos, offering in particular various artistic filters that emphasize their atmospheric qualities. The collection and analysis of posted images explores the importance of individual elements of the historical complex and the special ability of the place to arouse a variety of emotions.
An Instagram search based on metadata, such as hashtags #aristotelous, #plateiaaristotelous and relevant geographical identification tags, yielded a number of images that reveal multiple “atmospheres” of Aristotelous. In the context of the presentation at the Greek pavilion, the digital practice of social participation is explored through selected atmospheric photos. These, initially captured and shared as private snapshots of daily life in Aristotelous, actually present a kind of collective memory of place. Image analysis, based on hue / saturation / brightness color filtering, aspires to assemble on the exhibition panel a digital “emotional topography” of Aristotelous.
Press Release: The Greek participation in the 17th Architecture Biennale in Venice
