Miranda July

Miranda July creates works that defy categorization and touch on multiple means of expression, from film and literature to visual arts and performance. Many of them have been hosted at MoMA, the Guggenheim Museum, and the Whitney Biennial. She chose the surname ‘July’ from a fictional character when she was 15 years old, and at 20, she officially adopted it.

It has been written that “Miranda July is good at plot. Stories will come to her fully formed, like a gift from the gods; all she has to do is unwrap them” ("New Yorker"). In the 1990s, she experimented as part of the ‘riot grrrl’ scene with various theater, multimedia performance, and film projects at independent festivals and alternative art spaces. In the field of literature, she has proven her charisma and ability to capture—sometimes with humor and sometimes with sensitivity—what is discussed on the online and offline side of life.

With books such as "No One Belongs Here More Than You" (2007), a critically acclaimed collection of short stories, and her first novel, "The First Bad Man" (2015), she explores themes such as loneliness, alienation, and the human need for connection. Regardless of the medium and genre she chooses, her voice always remains refined and deeply human.

Following the open talk, the feature-length film “Me and You and Everyone We Know” (2005), directed by Miranda July, will be screened on the Onassis Stegi’s Main Stage. An unusual story about a group of ordinary people. The film received the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2005) and the Caméra d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival (2005).

At the same time, the Onassis Stegi will be filled with “Mirandas”— a series of screens showing Miranda July’s video-art pieces on a loop. One Miranda talks with strangers in public spaces. Another takes dance breaks while writing her novel “All Fours.” A third shops for jewelry in Los Angeles. Shot on her phone—by her, by friends, or even by strangers. Most of them posted on Instagram and, for one night only, in the Onassis Stegi foyers. Miranda July’s video art makes up a program of short films and experiments, which frames the discussion and extends the Athenian audience’s encounter with her and her artistic world.

MAIN STAGE

20:30 | Conversation with Afroditi Panagiotakou, Artistic Director of the Onassis Foundation

Short film Screening | "Moon" (2019), 1΄39΄΄

Shot on her phone while flying from Los Angeles, her home, to her city of origin, Berkeley. Posted on Instagram when she landed.

22:00 | After-talk screening | Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005), Duration: 95΄ | Free admission with prior registration.

Short Synopsis: A lonely shoe salesman and an eccentric performance artist struggle to connect in this unique take on contemporary life.

On loop 18:30—00:00 | Free admission

GROUND FLOOR FOYER

Dances (2021)

Dance breaks she took while writing her forthcoming novel, “All Fours”. Posted on Instagram.

Some Dances (2023, 2020)

Dance breaks she took while writing my forthcoming novel, “All Fours”. Posted on Instagram.

Dances (2022)

More dance breaks. These are very influenced by what she was wearing and the music. It just feels good. Posted on Instagram.

FOYER 1st FLOOR

Stand Up Comedy (2013), 5΄56΄΄

This is her studio. She wanted to see what she could do in there, using it in a different way. She has been working in there for twenty years, mostly writing.

Gem Show (2023), 4΄33΄΄

She wanted to see if she could collaborate with a stranger she met in a public place. She tried it out at a gem and jewelry trade show in Los Angeles. Posted on Instagram.

*Screening with headphones

Poly Estate Sale (2021), 8΄33΄΄

Another scene she came up with before meeting a friend, in this case, Angela Trimbur. They improvised and tried to integrate the strangers who entered the public setting, an estate sale. Posted on Instagram.

*Screening with headphones

FOYER 2nd FLOOR

Atlanta (1996), 10΄

Her first movie. She borrowed the video camera from a friend. It was really hot in her apartment that summer, so the subject revolved around these two costumes, which were possible to wear in the heat.

*Screening with headphones

The Amateurist (1998), 14΄

Her second movie. She tried to age herself by filling in her wrinkles with black eyeliner, and her earrings are just black paper circles.

*Screening with headphones