The Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation, in collaboration with the Takis Foundation, celebrates the centenary of the birth of artist Panayiotis Vassilakis – known as Takis (1925–2019) – with a major retrospective exhibition titled Takis 1∞, presented simultaneously at its two museums in Athens and Andros, from June 22 to November 2, 2025.
For the first time in its history, the Foundation is dedicating all its spaces hosting temporary exhibitions – both in Athens and Andros – to a single artist. The Takis 1∞ retrospective spans the artist’s seven-decade-long career, showcasing more than 150 works including sculptures, drawings, paintings, and jewelry, alongside audiovisual material referencing ephemeral pieces and performances.
This tribute holds special meaning for the Foundation as it honors the longstanding friendship between Basil and Elise Goulandris and Takis. It also serves as a unique opportunity to highlight Takis’ profound influence on the international art scene. The exhibition coincides with the reopening of the Old Wing of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Andros, now fully renovated and open to the public.
Takis was a true cosmopolitan, whose artistic expression transcended aesthetics, embracing each new phase of his journey with passionate curiosity. This exhibition repositions Greece at the heart of global artistic creation through a complex, rebellious, demanding, yet irresistibly captivating artist.
B&E Goulandris Foundation Museum, Athens
The Athens museum showcases Magnetic Fields, a segment of the exhibition that revisits Takis’ long and groundbreaking relationship with magnetism — a pivotal theme since 1959. From his early Tele-Sculptures to the last Magnetic Fields created in 2018, this journey includes the memorable performance Impossible – Man in Space, as well as Tele-Paintings, Tele-Lights, Magnetrons, Magnetic Nowhere, Magnetic Walls, Magnetic Panels, Electromagnetic Spheres, and his renowned Musicals.
For Takis, magnetism was ever-present, sparking innovation and driving his exploration of what he called “the fourth dimension” — a space we often regard as empty, but which is alive with forces that subtly yet powerfully shape our world. His magnetic investigations invite metaphysical reflection, revealing a worldview where “everything is magnetism.”
Museum of Contemporary Art, Andros
The Andros museum showcases every significant phase in Takis’ career, focusing especially on lesser-known aspects of his creative development. The exhibition explores:
- Early works that reflect his formative influences and his evolution as a self-taught artist
- Flowers and Idols, reimagining flora and fauna through the lens of metal
- Interiors, Magnetic Voids, and Spheres, which continued his material explorations
- Dials and Electronic Reliefs, paradoxical works emphasizing the aesthetic potential of technology
- Spirals, which delve into the visual mysteries of geometry
- The seldom-seen Erotic works, marking the powerful return of the body in his art
These are presented alongside his iconic Signals, first created in 1955, now regarded as one of the most recognizable sculptural series of the 20th century.
B&E Goulandris Podcasts
To coincide with the centennial tribute, the Foundation is launching its first podcast series:
“B&E Goulandris Podcasts: An Auditory Dive into the Enchanting World of Art.”
The inaugural five-episode season traces Takis’ fascinating life: from his youth in wartime Greece to his artistic journey through Paris, London, and New York, and his return to Athens and the founding of his namesake research center.
Listeners will enjoy rare audio recordings, insightful commentary from curators, and previously untold stories from those who knew Takis personally — offering a fresh perspective on his vibrant world. Available from June 22 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, goulandris.gr, and on-site via QR codes.
Catalogue, Guided Tours & Educational Programs
The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive bilingual catalogue (GR/EN). Public guided tours in both Athens and Andros are offered in Greek and English, with options for private and group tours upon request. A specially designed interactive tour will also be available at the Athens museum.
Creative workshops for children aged 5–7 and 8–12 will take place in Andros from July 23 to August 31, and in Athens from September to November.
Curators: Maria Koutsomalli-Moreau (B&E Goulandris Collection), Toby Kamps (Hamburger Kunsthalle, Modern Art Collection)
Scientific Advisor: Pinelopi Sideri (Vice President, Takis Foundation)
Exhibition Design: Paraskevi Gerolymatou, Andreas Georgiadis
Exhibition Duration: June 22 – November 2, 2025
More information here.
