Documentary questions accessibility to culture

Plus, photographer discusses inspiration in online presentation

Is culture accessible to all? It’s a valid question to ask, especially after almost a year of museums, theatres and other cultural institutions being mostly shut. During the last few months, most of us have been able to gain a sense of culture through online performances, live streaming, outdoor acts and virtual tours.

Before we entered lockdown, we could visit museums and art galleries, regardless of whether we actually did. We could if we wanted to. Yet that is not the same for everyone. For people with disabilities, experiencing art and culture happens differently. How can a blind person see the Acropolis or a deaf person hear the sound of the sea? These are questions a Greek documentary film highlights as it addresses the issue of museum accessibility in Greece and how people with disabilities experience reality.

In ‘Go, Look, Listen’, persons with disabilities share their thoughts and express their demands not only from museums but from society in general. A chance to watch the documentary and join a dialogue on the topic is coming up this month as Fotodos is organising an online film screening on January 28 through Zoom. The documentary runs for just under half an hour and though it is in Greek, there will be English subtitles for any non-Greek-speakers that want to join. After the screening, a discussion will be held with the director Mary Bouli, allowing viewers to ask questions and have a conversation about the accessibility of culture.

As the above shows, Fotodos is determined to keep culture alive by organising more online events. Since it is a photo gallery, many of its presentations and workshops centre on photography. As such, another online event is coming up in late February featuring Australian photographer Petrina Hicks.

Exploring the cultural and visual representation of women and children in contemporary society and throughout history, her photographs are rich with mythological and historical symbolism and imbued with a sense of the uncanny and surreal.

On February 25, Petrina Hicks will make a Zoom presentation (in English) of her work and talk about her interest in the art-historical, mythological and symbolic subject matter.

To register for any of the events visit the Facebook page of Fotodos @Fotodos.

Go, Look, Listen
Documentary film screening and discussion with the director. January 28. 7.45pm. Via Zoom. Organised by Fotodos. In Greek. Free. Tel: 99-414788

Petrina Hicks talking about her work: 2003 – 2020
presentation and discussion by Australian photographer. February 25. 7.45pm. Via Zoom. Organised by Fotodos. In English. Free. Tel: 99-414788