step inside the vibrant museum of greek contemporary artist alekos fassianos in athens

NEW ALEKOS FASSIANOS MUSEUM opens its doors in ATHENS

The Museum of Alekos Fassianos, a highly acclaimed Greek contemporary visual artist, opened its doors to the public in Athens, on April 26, 2023. The establishment was a collaborative effort between the artist himself and the renowned architect Kyriakos Krokos back in the 90s. Their shared vision was to transform the existing family building situated in the vibrant area of Metaxourgeio, Athens, into a space that would showcase and highlight the Alekos Fassianos Collection.

With meticulous attention to detail, the entire space has been carefully carved out and remodeled, incorporating a diverse range of materials and finishes. Concrete, stone, mosaic, brick, and plaster have been thoughtfully selected to harmonize with Fassianos’ distinctive style, resulting in a color palette that encompasses earthly grays, rich reds, and warm ochres. These elements seamlessly blend together, paying homage to the vibrant and colorful visual essence that is synonymous with Fassianos’ artistic expression.

To find out more about the late Greek artist Alekos Fassianos and take a look at his private home and studio in Athens, see designboom’s previous coverage, here.

all images courtesy Alekos Fassianos estate, copyright Paris Tavitian

a building with a rich history

The Alekos Fassianos Museum (find more here) is housed in a building jointly conceived and remodeled by Alekos Fassianos and architect Kyriakos Krokos. The project, completed in 1995, involved the remodeling of a building that holds a rich history. Once, between the 1930s and 1970s, it served as Fassianos’ family home — a charming neoclassical house characterized by an inner courtyard and a tiled roof. However, in the late 1970s, the original structure gave way to a four-story apartment building.

In the late 1980s, Fassianos shared his aspiration with Krokos — to transform the apartment building into a museum that would showcase his remarkable art collection. The vision was to reshape and renovate the existing structure, creating a private exhibition space alongside apartments. The building, a typical Athenian ‘polykatoikia’ (a multi-story apartment block prevalent in Greek cities), had initially disregarded architectural conventions. However, it would soon become a canvas for the architectural visions and ideas of Krokos and Fassianos, exemplifying their aesthetic and philosophical principles.

the entire space has been carefully carved out and remodeled, incorporating a diverse range of materials and finishes

a space that embraces timeless integrity

The challenges of such a project were not to be underestimated, as architect Kyriakos Krokos faced the task of working with an existing structure that presented a multitude of limitations. However, the shared aesthetic and philosophical principles of Fassianos and Krokos shine through in this project. They aspired to embrace a pure architectural style, one that would withstand the test of time without succumbing to deterioration, with Krokos stating, ‘Things mustn’t spoil or age badly; it has to be clean.’ The architect found inspiration in the effects of time and climate, considering how the building would evolve over the course of many years.

Krokos sought to accentuate the structural elements of the building, making the materials used in its construction visible. Meanwhile, Fassianos felt strongly about creating a space that would engage in a meaningful dialogue with his artworks. The artistic and design sensibilities of these collaborators permeate every aspect of the museum’s structure. Various stonemasonry finishes and marble edging gracefully frame the terrazzo floors. Intricate details abound, from the elaborate helical staircase to the mosaic artworks adorning the floors. Fresco figures grace the walls, while bronze door handles and a suspended metal dragon elegantly conceal cables, merging functionality with artistic expression.

an elaborate helical staircase and mosaic artworks adorn the space