εmotions

The Acropolis Museum, in a rare and important partnership, has joined with the Onassis Foundation, a major supporter of cultural and educational programmes for the past 42 years, to co-organize the exhibition Emotions, initially presented with great success at the Onassis Cultural Foundation in New York.

Emotions is a narrative exhibition that illuminates the inner world of emotions in the personal, social and political life of the ancient world. Touring the exhibition represents a tempestuous journey into the human soul, whose passions are expressed through the lens of ancient art. Exhibits gathered from the world’s leading museums, under the watchful eye of the Acropolis Museum, highlight the array of feelings found in the artistic works of ancient Greece. Many of the exhibits are unique artefacts, never before seen in Greece, while numerous others come from Greek museums and are now brought forward for the first time into the light of international attention.

The visitor's course is marked by an enormous spiral of upright vinyl banners in many shades of red – from delicate pink to deepest crimson – which symbolically reflect the range and intensity of emotions. At the same time, the spiral embraces two central exhibits: the dazzling statues of Eros (Love) and Pothos (Longing) who stand amid a profusion of light; while, opposite, in a dark recess, an illuminated wall painting portrays the Sacrifice of Iphigenia, in which we see strong feelings of guilt, despair and anticipation. The exhibit’s additional 126 displays are positioned between the red spiral and a gray backdrop that noticeably softens the intensity of the red, corresponding symbolically to the rational side of the soul.

Main thematic sections include: The Art of Emotions - Emotions in Art, The Spaces of Emotions with the sub-sections "Private Space", "Battlefield", "Public Space", "Sacred Spaces" and "Necropolis", Conflicting emotions, Uncontrolled emotions and Medea.

The Emotions exhibition also features 11 videos that enhance the visitor’s experience. Located beside particular original artefacts, they provide images and brief texts to elucidate the complex, dramatic myths painted in multiple scenes on vases.

EXHIBITION INFORMATION

DURATION

TIME TO VISIT

During Museum's opening hours

LOCATION

Temporary Exhibition Gallery, ground floor of the Acropolis Museum.

TICKETS

Tickets for the exhibition can be purchased at the Museum’s ticket counter.
Price: 3 euros

LANGUAGES

Greek, English
The exhibition is accompanied by an informational leaflet illustrating the displays. Read more

IMAGES


VIDEO


GALLERY TALKS

Visitors have the opportunity to view the exhibition together with an Archaeologist-Host and to embark on a tumultuous voyage into the soul of Man, whose passions are here expressed through the filter of ancient art. ‘Emotions’ is a narrative exhibition which sheds light on the unseen world of emotions in the personal, social and political life of antiquity. Exhibits from the world's greatest museums tell stories of emotions in ancient Greek art through the gaze of the Acropolis Museum. Many of the exhibits are unique artworks which are on display in Greece for the first time. Many more from Greek museums are basking in the light of international interest for the first time.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Greek
Every Saturday & Sunday, at 1 p.m.
English
Every Saturday & Sunday, at 11 a.m.

French: every last Sunday of the month, at 11 a.m.
Duration:
45 minutes
Participation
Limited to 25 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served.
Participation cost
The gallery talk is free of charge. Only the admission fee to the temporary exhibition is required.

OTHER ACTIVITIES


Archaeologist - hosts in the gallery

Every Tuesday, from 10 am to 5 pm, an Archaeologist-Host is available at a designated point in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery. Here, visitors are provided the opportunity for questions and dialogue on subjects concerning the Museum and antiquity, including particular objects of interest displayed in the current temporary exhibition.

Conference

The Acropolis Museum, the Onassis Foundation, the Belgian School of Athens (EBSA), the Netherlands Institute at Athens (NIA) and the Norwegian Institute at Athens are co-organizing a one-day international scientific conference, entitled Approaching Emotions: Interdisciplinary Perspectives.

Shops

Visitors can purchase publications and souvenir items related to the exhibition at the Acropolis Museum’s Shops.

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site

The use of your data is described in the privacy settings