Gaslight, Gatekeep, Europe

Socrates Stamatatos

2024

This artwork is site-specific.

Go to the location shown on the map in order to experience it in AR.

Artwork description

This object reimagines the myth of "The Rapture of Europe".Here, Europe is not seduced, raped, or raptured. Instead, she is portrayed as a powerful, independent woman on her own journey to freedom, escaping a hostile homeland. However, this raises the question: Is she truly independent, or just a "pick me" Girlboss? The term "Girlboss," once seen as empowering, has been, criticized for promoting a toxic, capitalistic culture. So, is the Girlboss girlbossing—or, in this case, is Europe europing?

About the artist

Socrates Stamatatos is an independent curator and transdisciplinary

artist based in Athens, Greece.

Their curatorial, artistic and theoretical pursuits deeply engage with

the Queer experience and the philosophy of caring, emphasizing

the empowerment of marginalized communities through digital

technologies. Socrates’ work explores queer digitality and connectivity,

aiming to use these tools for community building and empowerment.

They investigate how digital spaces can serve as platforms for queer

expression and resistance, fostering a dialogue that transcends

traditional art boundaries.

Their commitment to creating inclusive and accessible art/safe spaces

reflects their dedication to social impact and the promotion of diverse

artistic voices.