From Sunday June 30th 2024, the Fougaro Art Center and the Benaki Museum co-organize a major exhibition in Nafplio, dedicated to the work of sculptor Yannis Pappas and the equestrian statue of Alexander the Great. Since 2019, this emblematic work has been located at the junction of Vass. Olga and Vass. Amalias streets in the center of Athens.
The exhibition entitled "Yannis Pappas - in search of Alexander", focuses on the creative process of the realization of the masterpiece sculptural ensemble, which lasted 32 years. With Yannis Pappas' first trials beginning in 1941, the work was cast in bronze in 1973. In this exhibition, the public will have the opportunity for the first time to follow the long journey of the sculpture's completion through drawings, studies, models, photographs and documents from the archive of the Yannis Pappas Laboratory, with the bulk of the exhibits never being displayed before.
Without having received a commission, Yannis Pappas began work on the project during the German occupation. Over the course of three decades, he systematically and persistently researched every detail of the work, from ancient sculptures and mosaics depicting Alexander, to in-depth anatomical studies of horses from life, design studies of Renaissance equestrian statues and, of course, endless tests in search of the ideal result.
Eventually, Yannis Pappas' love for man led to the portrayal of Alexander not as an armed soldier and conqueror, but as an ambassador of Greekness in the corners of the then known world. The Greek, worshipped as a god and preoccupying art and science to this day, was masterfully immortalized as a humanist symbol, following the fascinating quest of a great artist.
This is Fougaro Art Center's first collaboration with the Benaki Museum.
Curators
Antonis I. Kontroyiannis
Theodore Barghiotas
Exhibition's opening
Sunday, June 30th 2024, 19:00 to 22:00
Contributors
Christine Hollinetz, Vassilis Markakis, Demosthenes Pimplis, Manos Dimitrakopoulos
Yannis Pappas (1913 - 2005)
Yannis Pappas was born on March 13th 1913 in Constantinople, son of surgeon Alexandros Pappas and Eleni F. Fotiades. In September 1922, following the disastrous Asia Minor campaign, his family relocated to Athens, where he completed his secondary school education.
In 1930, after passing the entrance examinations, he enrolled in the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, student at the atelier of Professor Jean Boucher. In 1937 he was awarded the gold medal at the Paris International Exposition. In 1939 he returned to Greece in order to fulfil his military obligations. In 1940 he was awarded the Sculpture Medal in the last Pan-Hellenic Exhibition before the war. On October 28th he was called up and served at the front lines with the rank of private. In April 1941 he returned from the front. During the years of Occupation he worked, as best he could, at his studio in the district of Zographou.
In December 1944 he enlisted in the Greek Royal Navy and served as a sailor in the Alexandria Naval High Command. He remained in Alexandria until 1951 and then returned to Athens, where in 1953 he was elected professor of the Sculpture Workshops at the Athens School of Fine Arts. From 1959 to 1969 he served as Director of the Athens School of Fine Arts.
In 1972 Pappas was elected corresponding member of the Académie Française. He represented Greece at the Venice Biennale with works of sculpture and painting and in 1980 he was elected a regular member of the Athens Academy.
From 1981 to 1991 he created many artworks in public spaces in Athens and other major cities of the country.
Along with his sculpture and painting, he had translated from English, French, German and Italian texts on art, literature and philosophy.
Important exhibitions
In 1992 the National Gallery organized a retrospective of his work.
1998 "Yannis Pappas, Painting 1936-1974" at the Benaki Museum
2006 "Yannis Pappas (1913-2005). Studies on the Equestrian" at the Benaki Museum
Tips
The exhibition is accompanied by educational programs and workshops, lectures, as well as a catalogue publication.
At the Fougaro Café-Bistrot you can enjoy light dishes of Mediterranean cuisine, coffee, sweets and drinks.
There is a large parking lot available, also with a supply for charging your electric car!
Duration of exhibition
June to October 2024
Place - Information
Fougaro Art Center, 98 Asklipiou Ave., Nafplio Greece
Τ. +30 27520 47380 | +30 210 8070 523
Ε. art@fougaro.gr
Visiting Hours
Thursday to Sunday, 18:00 - 22:00
Admission
5€
3€ for pupils, students and persons 65+
Did you know that?
Yannis Pappas' studio is located in the area of Zographou, in the building that was the artist's family home until the 1960s. This property, a unique example of the workplace of an artist dedicated to both sculpture and painting, was donated to the Benaki Museum by the sculptor's family. The main aim of the donation was to keep the artist's works in their natural environment. The studio, as the artist wished, is still a working space for students and artists (38 Anakreontos Street, Zografou district, Athens. Visiting hours: Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, 10:00 - 14:00, Free admission).
