The National Gallery - Alexander Soutsos Museum participates in the initiative of the Greek section of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) by organizing on International Museum Day 2023, Thursday, May 18, a multi-thematic walk in the garden of the museum entitled "Multiple narratives of the garden of the National Gallery. Architecture , Agriculture, Outdoor Sculpture" with two guided tours at 11.00 and 13.00 respectively.

The design, construction, planting and overall shaping of the surroundings of the National Gallery was based on the principles of highlighting and protecting the natural and cultural stock in the urban public space. The current shape of the garden of one of the city's most beloved museums is the result of the long-term and intensive collaboration of scientists from different fields of knowledge: architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, agriculture, sculpture conservation, art history.

The result, in constant conjunction with highlighting both the architecture of the building and the outdoor sculptures as well as the Greek flora and fauna, is a landscape depicted as a living herbal hemp of the textures and colors of approximately 100 different plant species. At the heart of the design is also the memory of the river Ilisos, as well as the vital connection with plant species depicted in paintings of the museum's permanent exhibition.

Eight sculptures have been installed in selected parts of the garden of the National Gallery. The perpetual, spiral movement in the composition 1211 A by Giorgos Nicolaidis is a reference to nature and the concept of sustainability. The wind that drives Taki's Windmill refers to sustainability through renewable energy sources, while the cycle and evolution of life is reflected in Kostas Varotsos' Spiral. The trees of the garden are connected to the trunk on which the Figure of Christos Kapralos rests and the birds to the Bird of Frosos Michaleas, while the Umbrellas of Giorgos Zongolopoulos indicate the protection towards nature and man.

Guides of the walk:
Christine Longuépée, Interior Architect, ENSAD
Dr. Ifigenia Mari, Architect-Engineer, Associate Professor E.M.P.
Dr. Giorgos Parmenidis, Architect-Engineer, Emeritus Professor E.M.P.
Dr. Angeliki Paraskevopoulou, Landscape Architect - Agronomist, Associate Professor, Agricultural University of Athens
Dr. Maria Kliafa, Sculpture Conservator, National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum

When:

18 MAY 2023 11:00 and 13:00

Free entrance