Poet of Sculpture – Costas Varotsos

Poet of sculpture. Costas Varotsos. A city artist whose need for creation stems from the city and gradually expresses the city. The basic materials used in his work are stone, iron and especially glass.

He uses the latter in almost every project, because it best describes space and time. A sculptor with a domestic but mainly international career. On the occasion of his new exhibition at the B & M Theocharakis Foundation for Fine Arts and Music entitled “Sculpture 2008 – 2018”, we gathered some of his urban works so get a taste!

1. Dromeas (“Runner”) – Athens

Year: 1988 Location: Omonia (first location), opposite the Hilton Hotel (current location)
Materials: glass, iron
Size: 8m height
General Information: This is the most famous work of the sculptor and was created within the framework of the artistic action “Dromena”. Although it has aggression, it is an optimistic work, and it is now a trademark for the urban  landscape of the city. His original name was “Xenos” (Stranger), but “Dromeas” prevailed, due to the form of the sculpture that shows movement. Due to some “problems”, the sculpture was redesigned, studied and transferred in 1994 from Omonia to its present location on Vassilissis Sofias Street opposite the Hilton Hotel and the National Gallery.

2. Metro – Metro of Athens

Year: 2004
Location: Doukissis Plakentias Metro Station
Materials: stone, glass
General Information: A peculiar galaxy is emerging from scattered pendulous stones. Stones of natural material and glass at an irregular height decorate the roof of the central space of the station.

3. Horizon – Thessaloniki

Year: 1990
Location: Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki
Materials: glass, iron Dimensions: 13 x 1,7 m
General Information: It is the first “Horizon” of Varotsos, and was created in the framework of an exhibition of the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art. The work is in an interactive relationship with the Thermaikos horizon and the city. This suggests the contrast between natural and artificial environments.

4. Horizon – Sparta

Year: 2007
Location: Sparta Lakonias – Geraki
Materials: glass
General Information: In this work, a glass installation is depicted in an old flour mill of the Byzantine period. It was created in the framework of the first Laconia Environmental Art Festival: Arthumanture Topos 2007. It is a permanent intervention, resulting in the sculpture restoration of the damaged section. The artist works with respect to traditional architecture, but at the same time declares his signature.

5. Horizon – Syros

Location: Ermoupolis, Syros (waterfront)
Materials: glass, iron
General Information: It is one of the most impressive works of Varotsos, with absolute symmetry and unique design. It is an ornament to the port of Syros, as these 7 circles offer another perspective on the horizon. The work was absorbed by the environment in a magical way, and, apparently, the blend is special. Bonus: If you find yourself in Syros, do not forget our tour, a great tour guide and companion.

6. Arrival – Italy

Year: 2012
Location: Otranto Apulia, Italy
Materials: glass Size: 45m length
General Information: It is the work with the strongest political message of the artist. The sculptor transformed a wrecked ship in which 81 Albanian immigrants drowned in a work of art. It is a monument in front of the sea of death and aims to capture a sea of glass in which the ship will sail again.

The presence and absence, matter and space, the wind and the wave define the artist’s new work. It is a plastic history, which over time reflects the unbreakable coherence of the visual world. The exhibition, which takes place at the Theocharakis Foundation, presents monumental works of the artist’s recent work. They testify to the constant struggle of the creator with the fragility of glass, but also of light.

So we offer you the opportunity to browse the exhibition digitally with a digital narrative in our application, Clio Muse app. Download your tour for free & enjoy it instantly!

More Information:

Location: B&M Theocharakis Foundation for Fine Arts and Music
Address: Vassilissis Sofias 9 & Merlin 1
Phone: 2103611206
Name of exhibition: “Sculpture 2008 – 2018”
Duration of exhibition: June 20 – October 21 (except August 1 – 25)
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00