Title: Frames of Reference from the Bank of Greece Collection
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: 978-960-7032-81-2
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. Nikolópoulos & Co. SA – Ekdósis tou Eikostoù Prótou (9 Ζaloggou Str., Athens, tel.: +30 210 3800520).
About the book
The album accompanied the namesake exhibition at the Benaki Museum, Pireos Annexe, organized 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 the 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. The 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.
The interest is focused on 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.