Yannis Metzikof unveils a marvelous world at the Teloglion Foundation and takes us on a journey spanning more than four decades, featuring 43 theatrical costumes, approximately 600 accessories, masks, hats, as well as his 140 paintings, through this historically significant exhibition, which opens tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7, in Thessaloniki and will run through the end of January.

“The image of the theater is an extremely important thing, even today, when it has been somewhat simplified. The image of the theater defines, in a way, the very essence of the theater itself, because theater is a spectacle, not an auditory experience,” said Yannis Metzikof at the Teloglion press conference, emphasizing that “the exhibition at the Telloglou Museum aims to convey something of the experience of a theatrical performance, with its own atmosphere as well as an educational aspect.” Moreover, according to him, “we must place the emphasis on the children and young people who see the exhibition, encouraging them to think and imagine—and that is truly the greatest challenge of our time.”

The artist’s exhibition generously offers visitors the opportunity to explore different theatrical genres, from ancient drama and classical theater to opera and ballet. Volpone, Medea, Oedipus Rex, Prometheus Bound, The Birds, The Clouds, The Thesmophoriazusae, Swan Lake, Salome, Macbeth, and Celestina are just some of the iconic productions represented through the costumes and artifacts in the exhibition. It should be noted that Yannis Metzikof has worked on approximately 400 productions throughout his career, but he always highlights the people who work behind the scenes—who often remain unseen by the audience—and with disarming honesty he explained that “My hands are other people, much more humble than I am, who won’t speak to you. And it’s truly wonderful that I get to work with their passion. You won’t meet these people, who, hidden behind the scenes, don’t step forward to take a bow. Yet they are the most important part of the final result.” The renowned costume designer, set designer, and painter spoke of a “magical army of professions that once existed and is now shrinking, as craftsmanship fades.” Yannis Metzikof made special mention of the “theater seamstresses,” the “embroiderers,” the people who worked on the costumes, the “patina artists,” the shoemakers, and the “wigmakers,” noting that “all of them, and many others, were the true creators in his work and in the theater more broadly.”

A special moment for the Teloglion Foundation is the exhibition “Yannis Metzikof. A World of Wonders,” as it brings to Thessaloniki a large collection of works by one of the most important Greek set and costume designers,” emphasized the General Director of the Teloglion Foundation, Associate Prof. Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Alexandra Goulaki-Voutyra. As she noted, “We at the Telloglou Foundation are particularly proud that, in such difficult times—with the challenges we face both internationally and in our own country—we are undertaking an exhibition of truly historic significance. An exhibition that speaks to us about the Gesamtkunstwerk, the ‘total work of art,’ as Wagner called it, where literature, music, spectacle, theater, and many other arts converge.” According to Ms. Goulaki-Voutyra, “this is a complex and challenging undertaking, all the more so because the work exists only while it is being performed on stage. Afterward, it disappears, and only a few tangible elements remain—such as the costumes and sets—which can give us an idea of the wonderful people who wore them, the playwright who wrote the script, and the efforts made by theater organizations.” .

She also noted that the material comes primarily from four main venues: the National Theater in Athens, the Greek National Opera, the Athens Concert Hall, and the State Theater of Northern Greece in Thessaloniki, along with material provided by the artist himself. She said, “We thank him for the generous revelation of the soul of his work, for his availability, and for his willingness to design the exhibition space at the Teloglion Foundation himself.” Ms. Goulaki-Voutyra also made special mention of the late, great theater figure and Artistic Director of the National Theater, Nikos Kourkoulos, as there is a separate section in the exhibition dedicated to him, saying that “when we organized the exhibition ‘Theater Costumes—A Closer Look at the Invisible’ at the Teloglion Foundation in 2006, he had generously agreed, in fact, he went out of his way to lend us some of the most important costumes from the National Theater’s collection, and we will never forget that.”

The exhibition is part of the 61st Dimitria Festival organized by the Municipality of Thessaloniki. It is a joint event organized by the Teloglion Foundation and the Region of Central Macedonia.

The exhibition is curated by Yannis Metzikof. Overall responsibility for and coordination of the exhibition are handled by the General Director of the Teloglion, Associate Professor at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Alexandra Goulaki – Voutyra, with co-curatorship by Dr. Miguel Fernández Belmonte, art historian from the Teloglion Art Collections Department.