Polytopo: An Art Experience in the Heart of an Ancient Quarry in Athens, Greece

Blending Art with Nature’s Timeless Majesty

For Blanco Art's first international venture, we hosted a groundbreaking event at the historic Polytopo marble quarry in Athens, Greece. Partnering with the local cultural platform TremeEats, Blanco transformed the quarry into a mesmerizing canvas where art, food, and history converged under the open Greek sky. This unique venue set the stage for a multi-sensory experience, blending ancient natural beauty with modern creative expression.

Event Highlights: Art, Culture, and Culinary Excellence

Polytopo was not just an art exhibition but a celebration of Greek heritage, featuring a carefully curated selection of art, cuisine, and performances, all deeply rooted in the spirit of Athens.

• Marble and Canvas: Two emerging artists, Lilah Yektai and Joanna van Son, were flown in to create the first-ever paintings conceived in the unique setting of the marble quarry. Their works, inspired by the surroundings, brought fresh life to the rugged, age-old marble surfaces, merging contemporary expression with the natural environment. Lilah, who has Greek heritage, added a personal connection, making the event even more meaningful for the attendees.
• Art Features by International Artists: The artworks were thoughtfully created by international sensations Lilah Yektai and Joanna Van Son, from within the caverns. More from them below.
• Greek Gastronomy and Dionysian Atmosphere: Partnering with TremeEats, the event featured a culinary experience that celebrated Greek flavors. A live marble sculptor chiseled cheese blocks as part of a live art demonstration, while all plates and serving materials were crafted from marble, tying the culinary experience back to the environment. Guests enjoyed wines from nearby Sparta, only five miles from the sea, as well as locally sourced produce that honored the land and its history.
• Hermes Kiosk and Florals: The event included a special Hermes kiosk showcasing the brand’s latest pieces, connecting luxury fashion with Greek heritage. Additionally, beautifully arranged floral installations brought bursts of color to the otherwise stony setting, balancing the rawness of the marble with delicate floral elements.
• A Sold-Out Success: With 150 tickets sold, Polytopo was attended by art enthusiasts, collectors, and influencers of all ages. The diverse crowd underscored the universal appeal of the event’s themes and Blanco’s ability to attract a wide-ranging audience.

Why the Quarry Matters: A Cultural and Historical Connection

The choice of the Polytopo quarry as a venue wasn’t arbitrary; it represented Blanco Art's dedication to creating unique and culturally resonant experiences. The quarry, steeped in history, provided a reflective setting that spoke to the resilience and beauty of Greece's natural landscape. The setting allowed for a deeper connection to the art, as attendees were reminded of the timelessness and endurance inherent in the marble.

The exhibition

We’re longing for that encounter, a moment to make fragments we can collect when we pass each other. It's what drives a hunger to paint for the sake of painting, a recollection that enables us to play with the material or place we figment from strokes of oil paint.
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A love for painting, through our love for each other:
It’s that impact where we find a reminder of what stops everything still, what keeps us together for just a moment. It is a soft moment cut from movements between magnets.

In our work ‘collision’ communicates an intersection between the subdisciplines of framework making; we find painting at the forefront of textiles and architecture. Painting acts as a device to mediate the aftermath of a collision where we can reconstruct old lights with an application of color and texture in new contexts. We paint thick, we steal palettes and pull mementos from each other. Lilah brought me casselearth. Joanna brought me purple madder.

Our each other and to each our own. It's solely the only way of dealing with spaces that can’t be filled with words.We find ourselves dumb struck, entangled and immaterial until we are faced to pick up the pieces. Collision is our stupor, our stillness, our obsession for falling and our obsession for having to pick up the pieces.

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Navigating Challenges: Overcoming Customs Delays and Tight Timelines

The event faced logistical hurdles, including customs delays that held up essential materials. Nevertheless, the artists and the Blanco team demonstrated remarkable adaptability. The creation process was carefully timed, with artists arriving at the quarry early in the morning to gather materials, set up by noon, and start painting by early afternoon. This disciplined schedule enabled the team to overcome obstacles while maintaining the quality and integrity of the event.

Feedback from Attendees

“Experiencing art in such a raw, natural setting was unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The blend of contemporary art and ancient marble was beautifully executed.” — Attendee, Athens

“The food and the wine were spectacular, and the setting made the whole experience magical.” — Local art enthusiast

Upcoming Show and Collector Preview in Athens

Following the success of Polytopo, Blanco Art will host a pop-up exhibition in Athens, featuring an intimate, application-based preview for collectors. This event will unveil a 16-piece collection brought from NYC and London, with the four new works created at the quarry. This exclusive preview aims to extend the experience and engage collectors with a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

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