The iconic hydrokinetic work “Umbrellas” by George Zongolopoulos begins an exciting new chapter at MOMus – Museum of Contemporary Art.

One of the most beloved and recognizable public sculptures of Thessaloniki, the “Umbrellas” by the esteemed Greek sculptor George Zongolopoulos, is about to enter a new era.The well-known hydrokinetic sculpture, which combines the movement of water, the harmony of forms, and the charm of sound, is soon to receive the necessary care and renewal that its artistic value deserves.

The “Umbrellas” that adorn the exterior space of MOMus – Museum of Contemporary Art at the Thessaloniki International Fair (ΔΕΘ-Helexpo) will be fully restored through an extensive maintenance program, with the kind support of the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company S.A. (EYATH S.A.), in strategic collaboration with the Metropolitan Organization of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki (MOMus). An important partner in this initiative is the Papageorgiou Foundation, which supported the necessary preliminary cleaning actions of the stainless steel surfaces. Supporters of the restoration works also include Deloitte Greece and Stavros Andreadis.

The upcoming maintenance includes the complete repair and upgrade of the hydrokinetic mechanism and the improvement of the hydraulic systems, so that the work can continue to offer a unique experiential experience.

The works will be completed in the autumn of 2025 under the supervision of specialized professionals, with responsibility held by the George Zongolopoulos Foundation, within the scheduled timeline, so that the “Umbrellas” can return renewed to the city’s public.

The Chairman of the Board of MOMus, Mr. Epaminondas Christofilopoulos, noted: “The iconic work ‘Umbrellas’ by George Zongolopoulos, at the entrance of MOMus – Museum of Contemporary Art, is being repaired thanks to the kind support of the private sector. This contribution practically demonstrates the value of collaborations for the protection of public art and the cultural identity of the city.”

The Chairman of EYATH S.A., Mr. Agis M. Papadopoulos, commented: “By supporting culture and the arts, EYATH responsibly and actively stands beside the local community, returning value to our fellow citizens. Moreover, for a technical company like EYATH, the restoration of an iconic work such as the hydrokinetic ‘Umbrellas’ highlights the contribution of engineering science to culture. We are very happy about this initiative.”

About the work

The sculptor George Zongolopoulos installed the large steel hydrokinetic structure titled “Umbrellas” in the water tank at the main entrance of MOMus – Museum of Contemporary Art (then the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art) during his first solo exhibition in Thessaloniki in 1993, immediately after presenting the same work as Greece’s national representation at the 45th Venice Biennale. The site was chosen by the artist himself, who supervised the installation in collaboration with the technical service of the Thessaloniki International Fair (ΔΕΘ) and the Department of Architecture of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), which contributed to the study and construction. The work remained at the museum as a loan until 1995, when it was relocated to be included in a private collection. However, in 1996, the acquisition was secured and completed, allowing the work to return permanently to the museum’s collections, thanks to contributions from collector Prodromos Emfietzoglou and entrepreneur Aini Michailidou.

George Zongolopoulos’s “Umbrellas” is one of the most recognizable sculptures of modern Greek art. Its hydrokinetic version at MOMus represents an evolution of the artist’s creative thought, who was deeply interested in the coexistence of art and technology. The element of water takes a central role, along with the dimensions of movement and sound, creating a dynamic interaction of the artwork with the natural environment. This interaction highlights flow and change while enhancing the experiential dimension of the art.

About the sculptor

George Zongolopoulos (1903-2004) was born in Athens. He studied sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts under the mentorship of Thomas Thomopoulos, and in 1937 he became acquainted with the work of Charles Despiau. Besides sculpture, he also engaged in painting and architecture. He collaborated with significant figures in the arts such as Dimitris Pikionis, Patroklos Karantinos, and Konstantinos Parthenis, and he was distinguished and awarded for his work.

Zongolopoulos had a particular interest in the coexistence of sculptures with their surrounding environment. Influenced by kinetic art of the late 1950s and 1960s, he explored the movement of static sculptural forms through the continuous flow of water. The artist was constantly renewing the shapes, materials, means, and spatial relationships in his art. He created a dialogue with space through the imaginative and innovative use of movement, shapes, and sounds. He applied this concept throughout his work, including the “Umbrellas.”