Yiannis Tsarouchis / Γιάννης Τσαρούχης

Bicycler disguised as a fighter in the Greek war of independence, with a temple in the lower right, work of Yiannis Tsarouchis, 1936, Collection the Yiannis Tsarouchis Foundation

Ποδηλάτης μεταμφιεσμένος σε τσολιά, μ΄ένα ναό δεξιά κάτω, έργο του Γιάννη Τσαρούχη, 1936, Συλλογή Ιδρύματος Γιάννη Τσαρούχη

B )
He had said that his own spirituality was fearless, it was of the new system. The canvas frame was of wood in combination with iron corners. It was beautiful and big, painted with splashes of white, sea-blue and gold.
There was an opening. There existed, as well, an archimandrite.
And without the wind blowing, from a poor estimation, the spirituality fell at the hour of the blessing. What happened is beyond description. The priest was wounded. The mayor’s wife suffered a concussion. They were all taken to the hospital.
1935

C )
The other spiritualities which fell, they fall because something is missing. Some poor estimation is happening. I am getting ready to put up a new one and I am optimistic. But if it falls I will make another one, even more perfect. I know my craft well.
1935

D )
I will never, ever put up a spirituality and I am proud of this decision I have made. Accidents and killings are the result of every spirituality. People and animals are killed when they fall, people in the bloom of their age, victims of their curiosity, and unsuspecting horses, dogs and cats and sheep, which had the misfortune of passing by there. No more spiritualities. But who is willing to listen to you?

Yiannis Tsarouchis (1910-1989)

(translation: Eva Johanos)

Γιάννης Τσαρούχης
(1910 – 1989)