“People remain the same, only their clothing and habits change. I express the man of today, who carries the memory of all those before. He grew up in the same place but instead of a tunic and chlamys he wears a tie and wide trousers and runs free not on his horse but on his bicycle or motorcycle. As for color, it’s always been there. I express my feelings when I choose color.” Alekos Fassianos
A man of few words, who spoke slowly and wisely. An introvert, his creativity knew no bounds from drawings and writing to theatre costumes, furniture, and even architecture. Over 800 book illustrations were just a fraction of his diverse portfolio. He believed that Art should be everywhere, not confined to the walls of galleries. What drove his passion for expressing himself through such varied mediums? That’s the mystery worth uncovering.
Iconic Roots: Fassianos Upbringing Palette
Alekos Fassianos, raised in Athens, drew inspiration from a diverse family background. Guided by his musician father, he spent 12 years mastering the violin, forming connections with influential composers. His mother, a philologist passionate about ancient Greece, nurtured his interest in history through visits to museums and the Acropolis, influencing his artistic journey. Under his grandfather’s priestly guidance, Fassianos explored dimly lit post-Byzantine churches, delving into the mystical realm of religious icons and mythology. His childhood experiences, assisting in church rituals and immersing himself in Byzantine art, served as catalysts for his pursuit of painting.
Echoes of War: The Surroundings
During the turbulent setting of World War II and the Greek Civil War, at the age of 17, Fassianos embarked on his artistic journey as he sought answers to his artistic questions. He saw the harsh reality of the German occupation starvation, frequent civilian executions, and the tragic loss of his uncle executed for resisting. Fassianos’ early years were shaped by his modest upbringing amid neoclassical townhouses and lively neighborhoods in the interwar period, influencing the tone of his art.
Instructors and Influences: Educational Journey
His initial education took place in makeshift classrooms, like churches, due to the occupation of schools by German soldiers. Later, he dedicated twelve years to studying the violin, a skill he acquired from a young age when he crossed paths with composers Yannis Markopoulos and Mikis Theodorakis, who played a crucial role in his life later.
Actively pursuing his artistic passion, Fassianos gained admission to the Athens School of Fine Arts (1956-1960). Under the guidance of renowned instructors Yiannis Moralis and Yannis Tsarouchis, he refined his artistic abilities. Immerse in the lively cultural scene, he spent time at the iconic Cafe Brazilian, participating in extensive discussions with influential figures in the arts, literature, and filmmaking. This period fuelled his profound interest in literature, poetry, and theatre, inspiring him to illustrate numerous publications and theatrical productions.
“These people were such a treasure trove to me that I wanted to express my gratitude and admiration in some way”, he said. It was the same with stage design, which earned him a special place in the Greek theatre.
From Athens to Paris: A life Changing Scholarship
Alekos Fassianos, while still a student, exhibited at Galerie 3+2 in Paris, marking the beginning of his artistic journey. Soon After, he secured a French Government scholarship in 1960, he moved to Paris to study lithography under Professor Clairin, a pivotal moment that redirected his life. During his three-year scholarship, he formed enduring friendships, notably with painter Vassilis Sperantzas. Returning briefly to Athens, Fassianos, with friends, opened a studio in Kallithea, contributing to Greece’s art scene. His transformative stay in Paris in the 1960s solidified his anthropocentric artistic style. Despite his international exposure, Fassianos maintained a close connection with his homeland, showcasing the fusion of global influences with local roots.
A Maturing Artist: The Studio (1963-1967)
In 1963, upon returning to Greece from France, Alekos Fassianos and his companions, Antonis Kepetzis, Nikos Stefanou, and Vassilis Sperantzas, leased a studio in Kallithea owned by the National Gallery. This lively space, nestled amidst palm trees, served as their home until the onset of the 1967 dictatorship. The Kallithea studio emerged as a focal point for artistic expression, hosting animated workshops, surreal happenings, and lively parties.
Fassianos, reflecting on the experience, remarked, “There we matured as painters full of inspiration and enthusiasm, for a cause that was rooted in reality.” Beyond paintings, Fassianos expanded his creative pursuits by crafting costumes for theatres and collaborating with poets and writers. The Kallithea studio, with its eclectic gatherings and surreal events, played a pivotal role in shaping Fassianos’ artistic path during this vibrant period.
From Abstraction to Fassianos Style: Evolving Canvases
In his early 1960s works, Fassianos experiments with the human figure leaning towards abstraction. “His color fills and swells the figures and becomes his body” as Eleni Vakalos writes. In the King of the Garden, a figure is lying in a dense, multi-layered space where the brushstroke and the tense movement of the artist on the canvas dominate. The viewer can identify some of the symbolic vocabularies of Fassianoss’s lyrical world which timidly appear: the scarf, the bicycle, the ear of corn, the smoke. In the 1960s, Fassianos’ style evolved from early expressionist works with grotesque figures to later pieces featuring voluptuous forms and luminous colors, expressing the joy of everyday life. His art, influenced by Greek myths and Byzantine icons, transitioned from uniformed figures to vibrant beings in floral surroundings.
In his later work, Fassianos depicts figures with flaming swords akin to Byzantine saints, inspired by creatures from dark churches. Preferring red and blue masses of color over abstraction, he aims for colors, shapes, and lines to convey symbolic meaning. The figures he paints are intentionally dissolved, residing within flowers, creating a mysterious atmosphere that hints at the possibility of life or death.
Beyond the Canvas: Fassianos Diverse Works
Beyond his iconic paintings, Fassianos ventured into diverse artistic realms, illustrating books for renowned poets in Greece and France, and designing posters, stamps, and costumes. Fassianos paintings narrate stories, merging Greek mythology with modern themes, capturing the Mediterranean’s vivid hues. Beyond canvases, he left a mark on classical and modern theatre. His collaborations extended to esteemed theatres, including the National Theatre of Greece and the Art Theatre of Karolos Koun. Recognized globally, four films depict his life and work, while numerous monographs highlight his artistic journey.
In 1999, the Academy of Athens honoured him, and in 2010, the French government awarded him the Legion d’Honneur. With over 70 solo exhibitions across Greece and Europe, his 2004 retrospective at the National Gallery, titled ‘Fassianos, Mythologies of the Daily,’ showcased the rich tapestry of his artistic legacy. Internationally acclaimed, Fassianos exhibited worldwide, from Paris and Athens to Tokyo, New York, and Melbourne. His artistic reach extended to bibliophile books, coveted by collectors, underscoring the depth of his creative influence.
An Influential Legacy: Imagination deeply Rooted in Culture
Alekos Fassianos, the Greek artist, has left an enduring impact on global art, transcending his native Greece. His emotionally charged works, extending beyond conventional canvases, have become integral to artistic and cultural understanding. Fassianos innovative approach inspires children to unleash their imagination in most creative way possible. The Alekos Fassianos Museum, located in Athens, opened in April 2023, offering insights into the artist’s life and his powerful collaborations that led him to become “A Legendary Greek Painter”. The museum also features his studio on the island of Kea during summers. Alekos Fassianos legacy extends internationally with successful exhibitions, emphasizing his timeless influence on art.
As Alekos Fassianos puts it “I became a painter to be free. Action, expression, agony for the next work, but also bliss every time it is realized. Painting can’t be learned with words. You must see and feel, you must understand. Ι paint what moves me, what makes me feel alive.”
Citations:
Fassianos Alekos (no date) Alekos Fassianos. Available at: https://www.alekosfassianos.gr/en/ (Accessed: 28 December 2023).
katsikopoulou, myrto (2023) Step inside the Vibrant Museum of Greek contemporary artist Alekos Fassianos in Athens, designboom. Available at: https://www.designboom.com/architecture/vibrant-museum-greek-contemporary-visual-artist-alekos-fassianos-athens-05-29-2023/ (Accessed: 28 December 2023).
Museum & Estate A.F. (2019) Alekos Fassianos Museum & Estate, Instagram. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/alekosfassianos/ (Accessed: 28 December 2023).
Museum, H. (2023) The Life and Times of Alekos Fassianos, Hellenic Museum. Available at: https://www.hellenic.org.au/post/the-life-and-times-of-alekos-fassianos (Accessed: 28 December 2023).
Pournara, M. (2022) Alekos Fassianos (1935-2022): The Voice of past and present, Greece Is. Available at: https://www.greece-is.com/alekos-fassianos-1935-2022-the-voice-of-past-and-present/ (Accessed: 28 December 2023).
Spirou, K. (2022) Athens through the eyes of artist Alekos Fassianos, This is Athens. Available at: https://www.thisisathens.org/arts-entertainment/sightseeing/athens-envisioned-alekos-fassianos (Accessed: 28 December 2023).
