The exhibition that managed to build “Bridges”
What if we asked local artists to juxtapose old photographs with the modern landscape and depict them in their own special way of expression? This idea created the painting and photography exhibition “Bridges: Where the past meets the present”, organized by Katheti. The exhibition began on June 18th on Poros, with a duration until September 30th. What we experienced during this time made us say that it was the exhibition that managed to build “Bridges” that united us.
During its time, the visual exhibition was visited by more than 2,500 people. Permanent residents, people of local origin, Greek and foreign vacationers came to see the artists’ works, but also the way the area looked in the past. The combination of the old photos with the contemporary creations sparked many discussions and emotions.
Memories and knowledge of the area
The elders remembered the area of their own youth. They narrated the sequence of events that changed or did not change the current image. Younger people, observing within a few minutes the changes brought by the passage of decades and discussing them, were filled with new information. For the visitors of our area, Greeks and foreigners, their presence in the visual exhibition, apart from being an occasion to admire works by local artists, also offered an opportunity for a guided tour. How are the locations of the exhibition works connected? What will visitors see if they go to these places? And, finally, how little have they seen from our place and how much more is waiting for them?
Reviewing everything that happened during this time helped us to understand that the exhibition that managed to build “Bridges” fulfilled its purpose. It caused nostalgia, offered knowledge of the area and its culture and received many positive comments. At the same time, however, the opportunity for another acquaintance was given. That of the visitors with the overall work of Katheti. As a result, we gained new supporters. New volunteers and over 70 subscribers to our newsletter, who expressed interest in being informed about our actions. This empowerment of Katheti helps us not only to continue but even multiply our actions and contribution to this place, which we love so much!
We are grateful to:
- The collector Giannis Antoniou, who provided his photographic material free of charge for the needs of the exhibition.
- The Facebook groups Πόρος παλιές φωτογραφίες (Poros old pictures) and Μέθανα παλιές φωτογραφίες (Methana old pictures).
- The anonymous and named photographers who captured the area with their lens, preserving its memories for generations to come.
- And of course, the artists who created works specifically for the visual arts exhibition “Bridges”. In alphabetical order, these are the participating artists: Albers Astrid (painting), Dimopoulou Mara (painting), Douzinas Ruth (painting), Kaikas Vaggelis (photography), Karababas Panagiotis (painting), Kynaston Lyn (photography), Marotos Savas (photography), McCallum Dennis (painting), Moschogianni Dimitra (photography), Douskos Ioannis (painting), Pavlou Nikos (photography), Rodis Tasos (photography), Rogers Pamela Jane (painting), Vasileiou Meletis (photography).
