A tribute installation dedicated to Charalambos Goumas, within the confines of his workshop adjacent to the Iera Odos (Sacred Way) —an homage to the Greek ceramist-potter. The installation weaves together the artistic narrative with 49 bull heads, crafted a decade ago by Goumas, infusing Christofilogiannis’ creation with nuanced significance. Goumas, guided into the realm of pottery by his Sifnos-residing grandfather, himself a seasoned potter, intertwines neoclassical influences into his technique, subtly echoing the physiognomy found in the sculptures of Ernesto Ziller.
“The Army of Goumas” Installation by Dionisis Christofilogiannis, Metal stands and 49 ceramic bullheads, dimensions: 1200 cm x 500 cm x 175 cm, 2023, Photographed By Giorgos Vitsaropoulos
Personal reflection from Dionisis Christofilogiannis:
‘Summer 2023. After receiving an invitation from the curator Dimitris Trikas, to participate in this exhibition, I had considered working on 2-3 pieces. While exploring the area of Elaionas during the summer, I opened the door to the Ceramics Workshop in Elaionas, a place I had always wanted to visit. That’s how I had my first meeting with Charalambos Goumas in his workshop on Pluto Street, just a few meters from the exhibition. A vast garden filled with hundreds of ceramics and a workshop with numerous kilns and countless molds awaited me! It was a treasure! I was overwhelmed. I went to say hello and ended up sitting for 3 hours. I left with thoughts. Anxiety. I fell in love. I witnessed the 50-year history of a Greek ceramist in the historical site of Elaionas, where years ago all ceramists would gather clay from the hills to create the ceramics we now admire. Next to the Sacred Road that would be constantly cemented with stages, stations, and luxury hotels! I returned running, telling him that I wanted to create a piece in his honor… “The Army of Goumas” spontaneously came to mind. It was the only title that truly captured the intensity of my thoughts and feelings. An army that sweeps everything away… an army of many bull heads that had been hanging on the workshop’s railings for about ten years. An order from a French collector who never came to pick them up. A collection of ceramic heads with a wonderful patina of time, incredible beauty, and power. The artwork-installation had taken shape in my mind! I told him I wanted to buy them all and create this installation in your honor. He said they cost a significant amount… I gathered my courage… as they seemed like too much for an unfunded project… and spontaneously and with genuine trust, he let me buy them at half the price, gradually! I ran to Costas Xynidakis, a friend and incredible craftsman-ironworker at the PANMETALLIKI workshop, who with a lot of enthusiasm and hard work, made the bases for the army. My dream became a reality… without even knowing its future… without even having a second thought… like a lover, blind’
Dionisis Christofilogiannis and Charalambos Goumas at Goumas’s atelier in Elaionas, 2023
In the work of Dionisis Christofilogiannis, the title “The Army of Goumas” constitutes an emblematic demonstration of the concept of “Anthropocene.” The use of 49 ceramic bull heads as a military force highlights the martial nature of human existence and its impact on the environment. The journey of the “Anthropocene,” as described, is read on the Sacred Way from nature to technological civilization. This journey is depicted in the stratigraphy of Eleusis and Elaionas, while the “zero” time is read on the surface of the untamed, rugged Elaionas and the cultural capital Eleusis. The reflection of the stratigraphy of the “Anthropocene” with carried or discarded materials represents human geography dominated by “discarded” populations. These populations, with short stays and no rooted connection to the place, reflect the contrast between the abstract and objective approach to culture and the inherent fertility of the earth.
The Anthropocene, as a global condition encompassing all parameters that shaped human existence, encounters the work of Dionisis Christofilogiannis in the way it addresses history, nature, and culture. Through the creation of the “Army of Goumas,” he expresses a comprehensive understanding of the human journey, using art as a means to depict and reconstruct our history and heritage. Overall, the work responds to time and place in a way that is emotional, poignant, and intriguing.
The emphasis on love, respect, and passion expressed by Dionisis through his note highlights the personal dimension of the work. The story of the enamored artist who, as he says, “runs behind” to create something in honor of another artist, underscores dedication and creative expression as a force that can counterbalance the challenges of modern society. The choice of the title “The Army of Goumas” highlights the intensity and power that distinguish the work. The image of the army, with its numerous ceramic bull heads, creates a sense of martial force that sweeps everything away. While these ceramic bull heads have been hanging on the rails of Goumas’ studio for 10 years, through the work of Dionisis Christofilogiannis, they become symbols of strength and revival.
The presence of Charalambos Goumas, the Greek ceramist, marches through the work, not only as a creator but also as a natural and spiritual “ancestor” of art and tradition. The expressiveness of the work is a dedication to the continuity of art and the heritage that precedes us. Dionisis Christofilogiannis’s experience from encountering Charalambos Goumas is like a journey through time and culture, accompanied by the creation of a work of art that connects the past, the present, and the future.
Dionisis Christofilogiannis 