Umbrellas

Zongolopoulos started off as a representational artist before coming finally to abstract works. At first his preferred subject was the human figure. This was followed by works based on a vertical arrangement of geometrical volumes, following constructivist principles. In the early '70s he turned to kinetic art, exploiting the potential of light and movement. His stainless-steel constructions incorporated such substances and objects as magnifying glasses, perspex, metal umbrellas, nails, springs, and water, while the form of the work was determined to a great extent by random movement, as also by the viewer's impression at different times.
His large hydrokinetic construction Umbrellas was placed over the water basin at the front entrance of MOMus-Museum of Contemporary Art (the then Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art) during his exhibition (1995). Influenced by Kinetic art, he became interested in the movement of static sculptural forms through the continuous flow of water. Zongolopoulos designed for the museum a large installation with 45 umbrellas implementing the kinetic system, he invented, by pumping water through a calculated stainless steel fluted structure that mobilize the arranged elements when water pours through. The sculpture, placed outdoors, is constantly changing its shape, light and sound while moving, giving the illusion of rain and a magical feeling to one of the most beautiful sculptures in the city.