MOMus-Museum of Modern Art, known as the house of the Costakis Collection in Thessaloniki, holds a unique and valuable collection with a fascinating history. In 1998, the Greek Ministry of Culture embarked on a mission to acquire part of the Costakis collection, which George Costakis, the collector, had taken with him when he left the USSR in 1977. This remarkable collection consists of 1277 works, and it was officially purchased by the Greek state on March 31, 2000, and handed over to the State Museum of Contemporary Art (SMCA) in Thessaloniki, which is now a part of the Metropolitan Organization of Museums of Fine Arts of Thessaloniki (MOMus).
MOMus was established as a union of various art institutions, combining SMCA with its departments, including the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography and the Experimental Center for the Arts, alongside the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum Alex Mylona in Athens. This merger created a dynamic platform of museums dedicated to the visual arts, both in Thessaloniki and Athens.
The Museum of Modern Art within MOMus, known as MOMus-Museum of Modern Art, is where the Costakis Collection finds its home. This collection holds immense historical and artistic value, tracing the entire spectrum of the Russian Avant-garde through various artists and periods. It’s a treasure trove of works and archival material, representing key figures and movements of the avant-garde art.
One of the remarkable aspects of the collection is the archive, enriched by the continuous support of George Costakis’ daughter, Aliki Costaki. The archive includes original art books, catalogues of major exhibitions, newspapers, art magazines, posters, photographs, letters, notes, and more, offering valuable insights into the Russian Avant-garde.
The Costakis Collection at MOMus-Museum of Modern Art showcases the works of artists like Liubov Popova, Ivan Kliun, Gustav Klucis, Solomon Nikritin, the Ender siblings, and Aleksandr Rodchenko. These artists played significant roles in the development of the Russian Avant-garde and their works help illustrate the evolution of artistic movements during their time.
Furthermore, the collection features a vast array of porcelain, books, and early works from the late 1930s and early 1940s, shedding light on the end of the Russian Avant-garde. The museum has organized numerous exhibitions and conferences, both locally and internationally, to showcase this rich cultural heritage and the artistic achievements of the Russian Avant-garde.
Under its new name and administration, MOMus-Museum of Modern Art-Costakis Collection has continued to promote the Costakis Collection through exhibitions and collaborations with museums worldwide, further enriching the understanding of the Russian Avant-garde and its impact on the art world.
