Meeting Point: Alekos Fassianos Museum

Alekos Fassianos, Coffee goers, 2009-10
Acrylic and collage on paper adhered to canvas, 203 x 105 cm
Collection of the Alekos Fassianos Museum

“Coffee goers” is a painting by Alekos Fassianos, created in 2009–2010 using acrylic paint and paper collage mounted on canvas. The composition is horizontally oriented, measuring two meters in length and one meter in height. It captures a scene from everyday life, though it’s not entirely clear whether it takes place indoors or outdoors. Two signs at the top of the painting place us in the setting of a traditional café and the iconic “Doris” eatery, once located in central Athens.

The artwork portrays a familiar moment, focusing on the interactions between the patrons. We see nine figures, seated at small round tables, either engaged in lively conversation or sitting alone. The figures are shown in profile, with flat, stylised forms — a hallmark of Fassianos’ work. Two waiters move through the space, carrying trays with coffees and soft drinks, while at the centre, a man dressed in white holds up a sports newspaper, suggesting a conversation about sports. On the left, a man in a light blue suit and an orange scarf — fluttering in the air — draws our attention.

To his right, a woman in an orange top, with long blonde hair, gently touches a man’s shoulder while holding two stalks of wheat.

The scene is divided by two Doric columns into two distinct spaces: the traditional café and the eatery. The café, which occupies about two-thirds of the painting, is dominated by shades of blue, while the eatery is bathed in warm tones of orange and gold. The entire floor is covered with red and black checkerboard tiles. Decorative elements — such as meanders, wheat stalks, and fluttering scarves — add movement and liveliness to the composition. The figures appear relaxed and immersed in conversation, evoking a sense of intimacy and nostalgia.

The artwork captures the timelessness of Greek daily life, highlighting the traditional café as a space of social interaction, entertainment, and communication, all conveyed through the distinctive visual language of Alekos Fassianos.

The creative description of the artwork “Coffee goers” by Alekos Fassianos is the result of co-creation by the participants in Meeting Point: Alekos Fassianos Museum in Athens.

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