The People of Despotiko by Mary Chatzaki in New York

Dear friends, ­

We would like to invite you to the opening of the Photography exhibition “The People of Despotiko” by Mary Chatzaki on Tuesday, October 10th, 2019, at 6:00 p.m., at the premises of the Consulate General of Greece in New York.

Exhibition curator: Louisa Karapidaki. Duration of exhibition: 10 – 25 October 2019

“Τhe Greek Consulate in New York City will host an exhibition of photographs by Mary Chatzaki entitled “The people of Despotiko” in the context of events promoting Hellenic culture, according to the theoretical basis for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Greece, for cultural heritage includes the intangible as well as the material: “The past is imprinted in material objects, in items of every type (archaeological finds, works of art, traditional crafts), archaeological sites, monuments, traditional settlements but also in knowledge, perceptions, and values”. “Chatzaki’s photographs are of exceptionally high quality, and with their special beauty showcase not only the material cultural heritage of Greece, but also its lesser known, intangible aspect. Focused on the human involvement in the excavation and restoration of antiquities on the small islet of Despotiko, off the coast of Antiparos, the artist also records the extreme artistic skill of Greek marble craftsmanship. The photographer’s lens harmoniously shows the antiquities alongside contemporary Hellenic cultural creativity”: Konstantinos Koutras.

Louisa Karapidaki, exhibition curator, wrote about “Chatzaki’s photographs are not aimed at a stylized aesthetic or the theatricality of descriptive representations, but rather, as examples of free artistic expression, they attempt to enlighten the viewer regarding unseen and unknown mundane facets of a complex and composite project. Centered on the person and human activity, the photographer succeeds in rendering all essential information without superseding reality, with iconographic clarity and high aesthetics. Faithful to her thematic aim, she uses the photographic act as a means to “capture” and record unknown truths of an entire process and turn them from static, mute images to narrative testimonials”.

We are looking forward to welcoming you at the opening reception.

Sincerely,

Konstantinos Koutras
Consul General of Greece in New York


Lecture:

 Paros and the Archaic Sanctuary of Apollo on the Island of Despotiko”
 October 15, 6:00 p.m

By Yannos Kourayos, Αrchaeologist of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades, Director of the Excavation of Despotiko (Antiparos),
Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, New York University, 15 E 84th St, New York, NY 10028

The publication “The people of Despotiko” by Mary Chatzaki was made possible by the kind support of Τhe Welfare Foundation for Social and Cultural Affairs (KIKPE) to The International Association of Photography & Art of Antiparos (IAPAA).