ATHENS – How many parallel realities come to life when the night ‘wins’ the city? The exhibition ‘ATHENS:AM Extended’ is presented May 5-20 at the new METACOSMOI space, in the center of Athens, inviting the audience to a modern, multimedia experience that combines photography, A.I., Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, projections and video. It is an immersive installation that transports the visitor to the pulsating yet poetic world of the Athenian night.
‘ATHENS:AM Extended’ marks the evolution of the photographic project ‘ATHENS:AM’ by photographer Thanasis Karatzas and is realized in collaboration with the director and creator of multimedia experiences Byron Nikolopoulos. The exhibition transforms the original photographic material into a staged, interactive experience that tells stories of the city after midnight.
The core of the project is based on 88 black and white photographs, a fascinating collection of images from the period 2008-2022, which capture the intangible poetry of Athens and the peculiar sociability that develops in its evenings. This material also formed the basis for the album of the same name, published in 2024 by the Italian publishing house 89books and presented at important international events, such as the Paris Photo Festival (2024), Photo London (2025) and Rotterdam Photo (2026).
The ‘ATHENS:AM Extended’ exhibition opening party takes place on May 4. Photo: Thanasis Karatzas
In its exhibition version, the project ‘ATHENS:AM’ brings photography into dialogue with AR and VR applications, video projections and installations, creating a multi-layered experience around the Athenian night. Through Augmented Reality technology, static images are activated, acquire movement, sound and color, transforming the visit into a participatory narrative, where the viewer becomes part of the work.
The exhibition ‘ATHENS:AM Extended’ inaugurates the METACOSMOI space, a specially designed venue for multimedia exhibitions, at the center of the Athens. The semiotic relationship of the space with the city enhances the overall experience, proposing an upgraded artistic and conceptual mapping of the night in the city. The space is accessible to people with disabilities.
The exhibition ‘ATHENS:AM Extended’ is held under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens and is part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026 program. Admission is free.
Exhibition information: ‘ATHENS:AM Extended’, opening Monday, May 4, 8 PM, runs May 5 – 20. Hours: Daily 7-11 PM at METACOSMOI, Geraniou 44 in Athens.
Phone: 6945977609.
