What I can see

The “Metaxourgio” metro station is architecturally no different from other stations. It is a station with purely functional characteristics, but it is, however, of artistic interest, due to Alekos Fassianos’ (1935-2022) works that adorn it. The shapes of the figures and wheels that are Fassianos’ artistic signature, compose a setting of shops, people, theatres, cinemas and the environment of Metaxourgio of his childhood as a whole. Metaxourgio was the neighbourhood where he lived most of his childhood, during the years of the German Occupation. As can be seen from the plaque next to his work, Fassianos reveals his intentions for the revitalization of the Metaxourgio neighbourhood:

 

“I wanted to recreate the humble life of the people of my neighbourhood, the cinemas and theatres that nurtured us with unique simplicity. In Samartzi, Vembo, Peroke, Laou and Astra (theatres), stages of debut for Stavridis, Iliopoulos, Fotopoulos, Livaditis, Rena Dor, Anna and Maria Kalouta, Gionakis (actors) and many more that young people now see as mythical figures in Greek films. And since the buildings no longer exist, look at these works, you passerby, to feel the reality that I saw.”

What I can't see

The station was initially decided to be called “Diligianni”, because it is located below the beginning of the street of the same name, but in the end, the name “Metaxourgio” was decided, although formally this neighbourhood is located a little further south. Alekos Fassianos was a graduate of the Athens School of Fine Arts. He was involved in many arts, such as engraving, architecture, scenography and jewelry and poster design. He was honoured with the highest awards of the Greek and French Republics and Russia. Often, many confuse Fassianos’ works with those of Dimitris Mytaras, another artist of the same generation. Indeed, there are similarities in their works and both had Giannis Moralis as a teacher, however,  Fasianos’ works seem to have more influences from Theophilos, ancient Greek vase painting and Byzantine and folk tradition.

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