ABOUT
AiTHERION is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” and resulted from the implementation of the project “DESIGN, ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE HOUSE OF CLASSICAL GREEK IDEAS” (MIS:5033016) co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union and national resources through the Operational Programme Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (EPAnEK) 2014 – 2020.
The name of AiTHERION is inspired by the concept of aether. According to ancient philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, aether was the fifth element of the world. A perfect and indestructible substance that allowed the eternal motion of the celestial bodies. In the same way the celestial bodies moved inside aether, likewise in AiTHERION new polities (states) constantly take shape, and people are called to explore them. Each new exhibition is a new polity in the world of AiTHERION; an opportunity for reflection, dialogue and action.
OUR MISSION
At AiTHERION we foster technology driven cultural experiences on ancient Greek philosophy and we ponder together on the ever-present questions that concern humanity since ancient times.
Our mission is to play a leading role in deepening visitors’ relationship with philosophy, advance philosophical thinking in everyday-life and raise awareness on contemporary techno-ethical issues. We aim to develop experiences that broaden the visitors’ understanding of ancient Greek ideas through cutting-edge technologies for exhibitions.
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
The Ministry of Culture was responsible for the coordination and monitoring of the project “DESIGN, ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE HOUSE OF CLASSICAL GREEK IDEAS” (MIS:5033016) as well as the procurement of the technical infrastructure and the necessary software, through the Executive Unit for the Partnership Agreement for the Development Framework. At the same time, it ensured through the Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage, the adaptation of the operation of AiTHERION to the museum pedagogical principles.
ΤHE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH "DEMOKRITOS"
Τhe National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (NCSR-D) is the largest multidisciplinary Research Centre in Greece and has devoted over 60 years to research, education and innovation.
The Institute of Informatics & Telecommunications of NCSR-D, responsible for the development of AiTHERION, coordinates numerous projects in the digital culture domain and participates in the creation of innovative applications by using cutting-edge technologies such as content management, human-computer interaction, audio analysis and music information retrieval.
AiTHERION FACILITIES
AiTHERION is housed in the emblematic building of the Athens Conservatoire, in the heart of Athens, next to the archeological space of Aristotle’s Lyceum.
At AiTHERION, the philosophical ideas of ancient Greek philosophers are revived in model exhibitions where visitors engage in a philosophical experience. The exhibitions utilize cutting-edge technologies such as smart interactive digital walls, 360 projections, visit customization tools and applications that collect data that feed back into the experience.
Τhe exhibits are subtitled in Greek and in English for the hearing impaired. The space is accessible for people with disabilities (the space is accessible by platform stairlift and there is a WC for people with disabilities).
ATHENS CONSERVATOIRE
The Athens Conservatoire, established in 1871 as a non-profit organization, is the oldest and currently the leading educational institution for the Performing Arts in modern Greece. The institution has played a pivotal role in the advancement of music, drama and, more recently, dance studies in Greece, with renowned artists having been graduates or teachers of the institution throughout its long history. Moreover, its iconic modernist building at the heart of Athens, an officially designated “modern architectural monument”, make it a unique and enviable cultural hub for various contemporary art and cultural events, cultivating a vibrant environment of artistic expression for its community and the citizens and visitors of Athens.
