Title: TÒPI ANAFORÀΣ: Apò ti Sillogè tis
Tràpezas tis Ellàdos | FRAMES OF
REFERENCE: From the Bank of Greece
Collection (Greek-English)
Author: Charis Kanellopoulou
Publisher: Bank of Greece (Centre for
Culture, Research and Documentation)
Year of publication: 2018
Number of pages: 272
Dimensions: 30 x 28 cm
Book type: Album
ISBN: 978-960-703 2-81-2
Central distribution:
a. National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation
(ΜΙΕΤ) in Athens (13 Amerikis Str., tel.: +30 210
3614143) and Thessaloniki (11 Tsimiski Str., tel.:
+30 2310 288036)
b. Ι. Nikolòpoulos & Co. SA – Ekdòseis tou
Eikostoù Pròtou (9 Ζaloggou Str., Athens, tel.: +30
210 3800520).
About the book
The album accompanied the namesake exhibition at the Benaki Museum, Pireos Annexe,
organised by the Centre for Culture, Research and Documentation of the Bank of Greece
on the occasion of the 90-year anniversary from the Bank’s start of operations, in 1928.
It was on that same year, 1928, that the Bank began collecting artworks, dating from the
mid-19th century to this day, gradually forming its Collection that presently comprises
around 3,000 pieces. This book presents a selection of 157 creations by significant Greek
artists. Three broad themes are taken into account, centred on “frames of reference”
which have at times, yet consistently, preoccupied and inspired Greek artists: reference
to antiquity; the approach of everyday life; landscape as a guide to artistic expression.
Frames of Reference allow for and encourage multiple readings and interpretations of the
ways in which each of the above themes has served different goals – be it artistic,
ideological or social – through time, conveying corresponding messages to the Greek
society. Thus, the Collection itself becomes a “frame of reference” of artworks that
contribute to a timeless rendering of aspects of the Greek cultural identity.
Author’s biographical note
Charis Kanellopoulou is an art historian, scientific advisor and curator of the Bank of
Greece Art Collection. She holds a PhD in Art History from the School of Philosophy of the
University of Athens. She teaches Art History at the Open University of Cyprus and the
Hellenic Open University. Her curatorials include exhibitions relating to modern and
contemporary art, co-operating with institutions such as ISET-Contemporary Greek Art
Institute, Athens School of Fine Arts, etc. Her interests focus on modern and
contemporary art; on public art; on the social character of art; and on the relationship
between artistic creation and archives [she is the editor of the collective volume
Kritiki+Techni (Criticism+Art) Vol. 6. Contemporary Art and the Archive: Archival Collections,
Artistic Practices, Reflections. Athens: AICA Hellas, 2015, republication 2020]. She is a
member of AICA Hellas (Greek section of the International Association of Art Critics) and
of the Association of Greek Art Historians.