National Museum of Contemporary Art, Art museum in Neos Kosmos, Athens, Greece
The National Museum of Contemporary Art is an art museum in the Neos Kosmos district in Athens, Greece, displaying Greek and international works across multiple exhibition spaces within a modern building. The collection includes paintings, video art, installations, and photographs spanning different artistic movements.
Founded in October 2000 with Anna Kafetsi as founding director, the museum first opened on about 1,800 square metres of the ground floor of the former Fix Brewery, designed by Takis Zenetos. Ownership passed from the metro authority Attica Metro to the museum foundation. The building's reconstruction was completed in February 2014, and it became the permanent home in 2016. Between 2003 and 2008 the museum was hosted at the Athens Concert Hall, and from 2008 at the Athens Conservatory.
The museum's collection is built on two axes: a historical one from the second half of the 20th century and a contemporary one. Its video art holdings are a particular strength, with works by Nam June Paik, Bruce Nauman, Vito Acconci, Marina Abramović & Ulay and Martha Rosler. Exhibitions are organised in series such as Synopseis and Erga, alongside mid-career retrospectives and commissioned works.
The museum occupies the former Fix Brewery on Syngrou Avenue, near the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum. Its permanent collection is being installed on the top three floors, alongside a media lounge, screening and conference room, library, archive and roof terrace. While renovation work continues, exhibitions are held in parts of the Athens Conservatory.
In 2022 the museum received 140 contemporary artworks as a gift from the D. Daskalopoulos Collection, significantly expanding what is on display. This major donation allowed many new and rare pieces to enter the institution's programming.
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