A huge black and white graffiti design on the central building of the National Technical University of Athens has caused controversy, while highlighting the funding problems faced by academic institutions in Greece
The design, which was painted on the building’s façade overnight, was initially attributed to a possible exercise or intervention of students, buts according to a report in Ta Nea there are no clues as to the artist’s identity.
The dean of the University’s School of Architectural Engineering Eleni Maistrou believes that the local graffiti artists are likely responsible and argued that “they may consider it art, but this is a monument and consequently we must restore it and take measures to prevent similar interventions”.
Mrs. Maistrou also noted that there due to the major cut backs which academic institutions have faced in recent years, there is only one security guard on the building’s entrance and he cannot have visual contact with the entire building. Top university officials have expressed their dismay at the “vandalization” and urged the Ministry to take measures to protect the historic buildings.
