TOWER-TOWER. NIKOS ALEXIOU - THE COLLECTION
Bazeos Tower

Nikos Alexiou’s avant-garde idea to bring together works of modern and contemporary cannot simply be regarded
as a mere collection of artwork by other fellow artists, since the compilation process is in itself one of the artist –
collector’s personal and ongoing artistic projects.

As Giorgos Tzirtzilakis remarks, “Alexiou’s collection is an allegory par excellence of the aspect of collecting which
characterizes his artistic practice. The activity of collecting is a productive mechanism in its own right and the quin
tessence of his work…A preference for the minor is recognizable in these works, with the help of which anyone can
construct or deconstruct their own narrative. I would even say that the more personal and minor a work, the more
major the significance of its presence becomes within the collection. The “graphic note”, the folds and traces are the
defining elements of this collection, as opposed to all that is brash and hefty. Besides, most of these works are the
ones which first introduced us to the artists who created them.

Nonetheless, this description does not detract from the primary feature in this context, i.e. the fact that this is a collection. The way it was compiled and the fact of its creation are indivisible.

Presenting this collection at Bazeos Tower should be regarded as a starting point for reflection, which will develop
over time, as more pieces are acquired and shown in alternative locations.

Curator: Nikos Alexiou
Organizer: Mario Vazeos

“TOWER-TOWER. NIKOS ALEXIOU-THE COLLECTION”
Bazeos Tower, 12th km Chora Naxos – Agiassos road
Duration: July 18 - September 3
Visiting Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 17:00
www.bazeostower.gr

artAZ asked Nikos Alexiou a few things about his collection..

AZ: When and how did the collection start? Do you remember your first work of art?
N.A.: It was around the beginning of 2000. The first work of art I ever bought was by Mary Redmont, from Els Hanappe. It was a small work – a hair piece on which the artist had woven fabric, she has used the teeth of it as
a loom. After that, I kept going back to Els for works and formed that’s how the initial core came to life.

AZ: What criteria do you use on selecting works? Do you exchange? Are you an avid collector?
N.A.: I do not usually exchange works; it creates an obligation that I very much wish to avoid. I need to retain freedom as far as my selections go. The main criterion is the way in which an artwork blends with the rest of them. Every new piece adds a little something to the whole. It goes without saying that I need to like them but I also need
to feel that they add to the story, that they can take it to where I want it to keep going.

AZ: Do you buy often?
N.A.: With the opportunity of the exhibition I had to do a complete register of the collection. At the moment it
consists of about 240 works. I am active, to the extent that I am allowed to.

AZ: Is there something that you would really like to acquire?
N.A.: There is several things that I would be interested in acquiring. Both old and new works. For me the most important thing is timing and my personal capacity to proceed. There is no point in saying that I would like this or
that – who knows what I’d be wanting. The point of the matter is that it all has to do with what I am actually capable
of doing. To give you an example however, something that I have been in the lookout for some time now is Gaitis’s
little people from before he stylized them, around the end of the ‘50s – beginning of the ‘60s. Another one that I
really want is the video Totsikas presented a few years ago with Kapatos at Art Athina.

AZ: How did you decide to exhibit the collection?
N.A.: Marios Vazaios and Stelios Krassanakis, who are responsible for this venture, asked me to do a show of my own. They had seen my show at the Byzantine Museum and felt that it would fit nicely with the space. This is how
we started it but during its course it seemed to me that it would be more appropriate to show the collection instead.
I was up for doing it and on a certain level I wanted to να decompress a little.

AZ: What is your relationship with the works? Do you live with them or are you purely driven by collector’s passion?
N.A.: Of course I live with them. It is understandable that I cannot have all of them around me at all times, but I
certainly do enjoy them. They need a lot of care – with the opportunity of the exhibition I had the chance to spend
time with them, deal with their needs. The more they become the greater the demands for care become.

AZ: Are you pleased with the result?
N.A.: Very much so! To begin with the space, the monument itself, is indeed unique. Its scale – it is big but consists
of small spaces and it has a labyrinth feeling to it - the way the light alters during the day, all of its qualities are
very interesting. I think the works have merged with it beautifully. Intriguing combinations and relationships have
evolved. In a space like this you feel as if you inhabit the works of art. It actually is beautiful, I feel very good
about it.

They saw the exhibition and here is what they had to say..

There was no way that I was going to miss this unique- in a way - exhibition!
For one, Nikos Alexiou, has been known to collect art for quite some time now. He is a pioneer in realizing that his
collection is a work of art in itself!

The rooms of the TOWER were special- all and every single one of them.

My favorites:
Artists' works: Elias Kafouros' work of course... Manolis Zacharioudakis' film. I saw all of it and I was not alone in
the wonderful room - in the attic. ...Foreigners standing up, also watched the whole film and I was mesmerized by
overhearing their wonderful comments... Alexandros Tsandilas' videos...

The Rooms: I liked them ALL. And the yard with the wonderful blue flowered osier! Most of all, the pink room on
the top with the works all displayed on the floor- reminding me of Nikos' working tables- more so, the ambience of
his own work was represented wonderfully- a "table/collage" of various artists. Again visitors spent a tremendous
amount of time to observe and comment on each one of the works...

The atmosphere: Was it the distance? Was it the fresh air and the beauty of nature? Early coffee in the morning
with Nikos and his amazing team, gave me a feeling of authentic connoisseurship, sincere love for nature and the
understanding that it doesn't really matter what everyone else thinks! I liked it lots... So did my colleague Patricia!

Elisavet Logotheti Lyra

Η έκθεση της Συλλογής του Νίκου Αλεξίου με εξέπληξε ιδιαίτερα. Όχι γιατί δεν περίμενα να δω μια έκθεση με συνέπεια και συνοχή (ούτως ή άλλως γνώριζα εξαρχής ότι θα ερχόμουν σε επαφή με έργα μιας συγκεκριμένης, λιτής αισθητικής, που επιλέχθηκαν με βάση το προσωπικό γούστο ενός καλλιτέχνη, για να γίνουν στη συνέχεια μέρος της καθημερινότητάς του), όσο γιατί μου δόθηκε η ευκαιρία να βιώσω μια εμπειρία «μεταξύ αγρύπνιας και ύπνου». Από την πρώτη στιγμή γινόταν φανερό ότι η έκθεση αυτή, που τύλιγε τον θεατή σ’ ένα πέπλο μυστηρίου και αναζήτησης, χτίστηκε με πρωταρχικό γνώμονα τις ανάγκες της δουλειάς του ίδιου του Αλεξίου, και με μια οικονομία που σπανίως συναντάει κανείς. Ο Αλεξίου κατάφερε, με θεάρεστο τρόπο, να εξομοιώσει την οικειότητα του αθηναϊκού του διαμερίσματος με την ανοικειότητα ενός υποβλητικού ναξιώτικου Πύργου, αφήνοντας πίσω του τις περιττές αφηγήσεις και αποκλείοντας, από τη μεριά μας, τις όποιες προκατασκευασμένες πεποιθήσεις.
Christopher Marinos

Check out the exhibition’s video here: