ATM Starts
ATM is a project initiated by Matlakas in 2020 initially based on the streets of London, it began during the pandemic period. The work involves the representation of faulty monochrome ATMs that give away empty banknotes to people passing by. The banknotes are blank thus to emphasise the superfluity of money in the real world, that which belongs to nature.
The work emphasises the importance of a universal unconditional basic income, which can belong to every person regardless of their status, just because they were born in an economic system.
On the occasion of Borgo Universo 2021 the banknotes of Matlakas’ ATMs are replaced by stars, connecting to the concept of cosmic space of Borgo di Aielli and underlining at the same time the centrality of nature that sustains us and keeps us alive.
In addition to the mural The spaceship, adjacent to the bell tower of the Chiesa della Santissima Trinità (Back Side), Matlakas' artistic practice includes performances such as Pro - Occupation which has left a permanent installation of an olive tree that cuts out and highlights a portion of land to symbolize Palestine, The olive tree was placed next to the wall of the Italian Constitution.