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I was extremely happy when we were invited to talk about "transformation"
I have been advocating the power of Art as a platform, as a catalyst for social change over the past 20 years.
And I strongly believe that Art is a natural platform for society to see social responsibility and learn collectively.
Around two years ago, I decided from all the capitals of Europe to come to Athens.
And as I witnessed, accelerated globalisation and rapid changes in the environment, new bodies of power started inscribing within our society.
It seems that everything is blocked by over-regulations and populous images prevail.
People think to be constantly un-invested and excluded from their daily environment
and there is a serious disconnect between the governing mentality and the citizens.
There is an urgent need for us, producers and artists to be engaged and try to re-organize the interactive urban systems.
And to challenge the existing political and economic frameworks.
And as I wonder, "could we create a platform where we could research, debate and tackle the problems of everyday life
As well as address one another as co-producers of the city?".
My friend and fellow producer Corinne Weber contacted me
So, having worked in the film industry for the last ten years with some of the greatest directors in countries around the world
There was something still missing
I wanted to find a balance between my personal life and my professional life
I also wanted to try to find a way to take my love of story-telling and inspire people to become more engaged global citizens.
I also wanted to keep learning. So, I had an idea: I wanted to bring together different genres of Art, to explore various issues in the world.
Namely, climate change.
And the first experiment arts and science.
But, to do this I knew that I needed a partner. Somebody who shared my passion for work.
I called Yvonne, at that point she was in Greece. I was between New York and Paris and we engaged in a dialog about how we saw the world.
Via Skype, ideas transversed the Atlantic and six months later, MELD was born.
What we realized about climate change is that it's not just about global warming.
It is about people and their direct relationship to what's happening to the consequences of climate change.
At the end of the day, it's about human stories.
MELD invites artists and scientists to come together to dialog, to educate and inspire one another.
And to fuse their ideas in order to create new perceptions as well as find creative solutions.
So, against all odds, Athens became the perfect ground for this experiment.
And I wonder, if we could create models where people could become participants and understand the complexities and dynamics of our city.
And if we could develop a narrative of the city where everybody would have a place.
Corrine and I decided to engage in what we call "urban acupuncture"
By that we mean small actions that allow few rumble parts of society to emerge and blocked relationships to flow again
About a year ago, we commissioned the German artist Alexander Schellow a video art installation on the perceptions of water in Athens
Based on its central river of Kifissos
Already in its process of production, that our work allowed its participants to fill part of the society.
Not as consumers, but as creators and becoming protagonists in their own immediate environment.
Schellow worked hundreds of hours by the Kifissos capturing its urban landscape and collecting the stories of its inhabitants.
He returned with thousands of stories to tell. Poignant stories, human stories.
One of the stories that really shocked us and we would like to tell you about that. Do you know the story of the children of the traffic lights?
Well, this is the story of around 600 children that were collected at the dawn of the Olympic Games.
And as of today we still don't know exactly what has happened to them.
Though this is a reccurring story in the diverse communities of Athens
There is very little trace in the media, nor in the collective memory of the Athenians
For us, it was an obligation to give a voice to this communal story that demands mutual responsibility.
So, already fans of TED we became even bigger fans when we were creating MELD.
We even ended up using a number of the inspiring talks as a catalyst for our own project.
And I can remember how moved and encouraged we both were by the power one has to achieve one's own dreams.
In a way we seem we have come a full circle a bit.
Just like MELD and our vision to project video works and outdoor spaces around the world
French street artist and photographer JR also uses the world as his photographic canvas.
He is known for taking large scale black and white photographs and posting them against various outdoors spaces
As a way of encouraging global dialog.
Yvonne and I've been following JR's work for the last couple of years, so when he won the TED Prize this year we knew it was our chance to join forces
JR's wish to turn the world inside out and invite individuals and groups around the world to do their own action.
As Yvonne said, it was project "NERO" and a story that Schellow heard that inspired us to do a group action here in Athens.
Which we called "Eyes of Truth".
When we heard the story of the children we wanted to pay homage to them.
We did an open call, we invited Athenians to participate by taking portrait photographs of a privileged and un-privileged child.
Six Greek photographers responded.
As always, we wanted to create a collaborative endeavour. Inviting people from different stratas of society to participate.
Everyone brought their own vision and perspective, choosing to participate knowing
That interacting with the children was just as important as the portraits themselves.
Participating in these actions shows us as a united group of people whose responsibility is to communicate as a means of understanding one another.
It is about collective learning, it is about engaging people in creative activities to act upon their immediate environment.
It is an extra-ordinary opportunity to join forces with people all over the world and be part of this global dialog.
To see the photographers interact with the children was magical. To see the children's reactions, the smiles on their faces
The way their eyes lit up, their interest in the camera, how it worked, getting to see the photographs just after they were taken
And the way that each photographer embraced the project was a testament to the spirit of the Athenian people.
Also to see the variety of ethnicities who participated, from Greeks, to Georgians, Albanians, to Kenyans, Peruvians to Ugandans.
It showed Athens as a true melting pot.
It has been an extra-ordinary experience to be part of the "Inside Out Project". Not only because of the unique perspective that each photographer
Brought to the table, but as well as because of the children, and the parents, but over all because of the communities
And their overwhelming response that has made this project possible.
But also so inspiring to see the photographers become bridges and engage the different communities.
Via the "Inside Out Project", "Eyes of Truth" brought us all together to work towards a common vision.
But it would not have been possible without each of our different perspectives and experiences.
Well, one of JR's most successful and controversial actions took place in Gaza, in 2007, the "Face to Face Project".
Where he invited Israelis and Palestinians and took portraits of themselves making funny faces.
These portraits were placed in both sides of the wall. When JR engaged in this action, people thought he was crazy
People thought he would never make it. He was arrested by the Israeli Army. And then he was released briefly after.
But what remains is this magnificent image of a Rabbi and a Sheikh holding hands and embracing each other's face in the name of Art
As one of the solution for a peaceful dialog among both their people.
So, if JR can unite a Rabbi and a Sheikh in the name of Art, we believe that we can as well.
So for all of you, sitting in the audience today we invite you to stand up...
And come and join us next Saturday posting these posters in central Athens. Thank you so much, "efharisto poly"
(Applause)