MOUNT Athos (2008)
Warlamis had a great interest in Mount Athos. For him, it was the living continuation of the philosophical schools of antiquity enriched by Orthodox know-how. He believed that the values of the monastic life of Mount Athos could be of practical help and support to today’s society. As an architect, he appreciated the exemplary balance between the structured and natural environment of the Mount, and as a simple believer, he appreciated and was inspired by the disciplined life of the monks and the overall organization of the monasteries.
His magnificent collection of works on Mount Athos consists of approximately 100 artworks and includes paintings, constructions and installations. The atmosphere created by the overall direction of the exhibition, the music and the lighting, which give the visitor an unforgettable spiritual experience, is very interesting.
he himself writes...
In my work on the realization of the painting exhibition “Agios Oros” I came across many problems and difficulties. From the overall environment of Agios Oros, which is defined by the interaction between the natural and the structured world, the divine liturgy, the Theo drama, the psalms and the vestments, I had to make a world characterized by great complexity and diversity. Some of my paintings are realistic representations of the existing situation. This existing situation is nevertheless not a simple naturalism, it is defined by spirituality, tranquility and timelessness. Everywhere on Athos one feels this space free from stress. Everything takes place in harmony and peace. I have never experienced such peaceful people and such a peace-making nature anywhere as on Athos. My paintings are contemplative and moving. They, I believe, radiate a surreal, almost unreal aura. They are representations of ideas. These ideas of a heavenly conception of human life in harmony with nature I have tried to contain and make manifest. Ideas that come from a deep faith in the Almighty Creator. With this exhibition of mine I have managed to capture the mystery, which constitutes the deepest secret of Mount Athos.
what they said...
Collection presentation
The first presentation of the collection took place at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, then it was presented at the Byzantine and Christian Museum of Athens, at the Basilica of Saint Mark in Heraklion, Crete and then at the Art Museum of Austria.
In 2013, a grand presentation took place in the central hall of the European Parliament in Brussels.
Since 2019, it has been hosted at the Cultural Center of the municipality of Aristotle in Ierissos.
To date, more than 200,000 visitors have had the opportunity to experience this unique collection.
PHOTOS OF THE PAINTINGS AND OF THE PRESENTATIONS OF THE COLLECTION
CATALOGUE FROM THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLLECTION AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT/BRUSSELS
Learn more!
- Where is Mount Athos located?
- Since when has it existed?
- How do people live there?
You can read all this in the special edition for children that the municipality of Aristotelis in Halkidiki has produced as part of the presentation of the collection at the Cultural Center of Ierissos.
