Once Upon a Time
2024
42,195 glazed ceramic vases

Once Upon a Time consists af 42,195 glazed terracotta vases illustrated with text and images telling the story about the phenomenon of marathon from the ancient myths to my own marathon-performances (The Marathon Project). 
One for each of the marathons 42,195 kilometers.

Running has always had a practical use in every day life - especially in ancient Greece - but also a symbolic. To run was a sign of strength and furthermore to win the running competitions could elevate you to almost mythical importance. The prize vases were a practical and symbol evidence of this. The vase - in whatever shape - has always told a three-dimensional story about human’s thoughts and actions. The illustration was an important source to information and to be depicted on one of these was to cement your importance, your legacy. 

The work is made with reference to the first Panathenaic Games in ancient Greece (350-400 BC) where the winner of the running competition was awarded with amphora vases filled with olive-oil.