Victoria Square Project (VSP) is an evolving social sculpture. A contemporary artwork, while at the same time a physical space of reference for the neighborhood around Victoria square, VSP acquires its meaning and value in the context of urban development and neighborhood planning around its particular urban area. “Who is the contemporary Athenian?” is the research question posed as an attempt to concretely identify the elements that define an inclusive Athenian society today.

VSP is an art space community centered working in situ. Thus, to respond to COVID-19 crisis the team had to explore new ways of communication, reach and empowerment of their community. Our main goal was for the space to remain active and present to the daily life of our neighbors. Thus, a new strategy was developed, a hybrid model that combined in situ and digital programs. 

The big windows of VSP allowed our community to visit our art space without any physical contact. Inspired by the COVID19 crisis we developed a new game, #6, the number sent for physical exercises purposes, as an alternative self paced exploration of the neighborhood. The kids art workshops 10 countries / 10 artists held online. As a result, kids from Astypalaia and Kavala until Athens and Voukouresti explored influential artists from the countries of origin of our neighbors, such as Ghana, Bulgaria and Bangladesh. The newly shaped community co-Living Room co-created objects and elements that are currently installed in the physical space. Station One Artists-in-Resident program combines in situ research and digital lectures with the SNFPHI at Columbia University. 

During this process Victoria Square Project developed a toolkit and methods that gained valuable experience from and has shifted its perspective of community engagement, communication, project management and coordination.