CLOSING SOON presents the restoration of the mural Welcome and enjoy the Ruins.
The mural was originally created by Nektarios Pappas in June 2017 on the rooftop of the then-abandoned hotel at 94 Andrea Syngrou Avenue. It was visible from the terrace of the National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens (EMST), which at that time served as the main exhibition space for the international art exhibition documenta 14—the typography of the mural was based on one of the fonts used by documenta 14. Over the years, the hotel underwent renovation, the mural was covered with a layer of new paint (except for the word “Ruins” that was written on the adjacent building), and EMST opened to the public in full operation after 20 years of a nomadic existence. In June 2023, CLOSING SOON undertook the restoration of the artwork, employing a process akin to the restoration of classical period monuments, which involves utilizing fragments and documents to attain the most accurate result possible. The restoration of the mural aims to contribute to the dialogue on the boundaries between private and public, the significance of preserving and restoring contemporary artistic heritage, as well as the impact of ancient and modern ruins on shaping the cultural identity of the country.