ABOUT US - S.O.M.A - Scattered Open Museum of Attica

The SOMA (Scattered Open Museum of Attica) is a collective museum project that evolves through the collaboration of the non-profit organization Microgeographies, the Architectural Workshop for Participatory Design NonPlan, and local institutions and communities. It is an open, scattered structure with a pilot character and can be applied in places with corresponding social and urban characteristics. It explores the concept of museums as "Commons" through collaboration with the local community and local associations and institutions seeking participatory responses to contemporary landscape design issues in Greece. Its architectural and environmental infrastructure arises from the repopulation, reuse, and activation of abandoned buildings, the integration of deserted archaeological sites into everyday life, the participation of residents' living and working spaces, and the incorporation of places that hold special significance in the everyday life of the local community. Its temporary collection contains ancient and contemporary objects that tell the story, traditions, rituals, myths, and oral traditions, art, craftsmanship, economy, biopolitical and aesthetic relations of the area and the local community. It is based on private collections and archives of residents. Its temporary collection also includes works of contemporary art presented in periodic exhibitions. It is a member of the Network of Museums and Cultural Institutions of Athens and Athens Culture Net, and a candidate member of the Balkan Museums Network. Since 2014, it has implemented various actions in the eastern Attica region. In collaboration with the Association Golden Ratio and MnisiMachis, it has organized exhibitions and workshops in their cultural space. In residents' homes, it has conducted a participatory design workshop to highlight a cultural route from Keratea to the archaeological site of Ovriokastro in collaboration with the residents of Keratea. Additionally, antiquities alongside road networks, incorporated ancient building stones or architectural members in walls and courtyards of houses, the 'Aparato Castle' of the roadblock at the 45th km of the Athens-Lavrio road, the headquarters of the women's cooperative "MnisiMachis," residents' houses, and two abandoned buildings of the local railway network, compose a network of places, landscapes, and routes that introduced SOMA to this specific area.

Mission and Vision

Mission

Based on a network of people, places and activities, our mission is to help perserve natural and cultural heritage in Greece through participatory processes and community engagement.

Vision

Our vision is to highlight the concept of museums as "Commons" through collaboration with the local community and local associations and institutions seeking participatory responses to natural and cultural heritage in Greece. We envision the Museum as an open platform that is critical, accessible, and collaborative.

The Team

Hariklia Hari

Founder, with a passion for community engagement.

George Iatrou

Giorgos Iatrou, a mathematician from Keratea, Attica, has published 7 books on the history and literature of the Mesogeia – Lavreotiki area. He directed the award-winning documentary "memORIA" in 2015, about the 1944 sinking of the steamship ORIA. For 40 years, he has been active in local associations, including serving as president of the cultural association “Chrysi Tomi,” contributing significantly to local history and culture. He is also a co-founder of the SOMA project in Keratea.

Eleni Petouri

Architect, with a particular interest in the design of educational structures. She has participated in architectural competitions, and her studies, projects, and theoretical texts on architecture have been published in architectural magazines and catalogs. Her work at the Technical Department of The Municipality of Markopoulo has helped preserve cultural and natural heritage in Attica, and Erasinos River. She participates in workshops and activities of SOMA.

Manos Laoutaris

He is an architect-engineer researching urban voids, both material and immaterial, and their management using diverse methodologies. At SOMA, he focuses on participatory processes in spatial organization and aims to foster cultural actions at the neighborhood level. His work promotes the concept of the museum and emphasizes citizen participation to enhance the unique qualities of each place, ultimately improving quality of life and urban perception.

Zoi Kibezi

Architect committed to preserving natural heritage, she has played a key role in designing cultural walks, focusing on Erasinos river.

Rika Krithara

Rika Krithara, a visual artist born in Athens, is engaged in ecological and walking artistic practices, exploring issues of isolation, expanded perception, environmental disasters and historical memory. Field work in remote mountain locations is an integral part of her work.

The Scattered Museum of Attica that places the Museum as a common good, resonates deeply with the necessity for artistic works to converse with local communities and open space.
 Krithara has studied sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts. Since her first solo exhibition in 2000, she held six solo exhibitions and participated in group exhibitions and artist run projects in Greece and other countries.

Testimonials

SOMA provides a unique perspective on Attica's microhistories—an unforgettable experience!

Engaging and Educational

The interactive elements made the exhibits come to life! I learned so much about our local culture.

Every corner has a story, and the creativity involved in each exhibit shows passion and care.

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