I haven’t written much about photography lately. Or if I have it has been fleeting. I am not one to talk about my work a lot, especially work that I have not done or that may in process. I learned from my father that this is a good way to “talk it out” and I end up not doing it. This has been my experience. But I’ll mention some goings-on.
My winter’s work with the Photografiki Omada Parou has been a real joy. The 20 or so people that signed up in the fall for the 35mm analog project have all been enthusiastic, fun to work with and, without exception, have produced interesting and striking work. Today I am meeting with one of them to develop their film. Tomorrow I hand the camera over to another, and Thursday I work in the darkroom printing with a third. I think I will try to print on Friday too. This project has kept me busy through the winter but it has been much more. I have come to know many locals who I had never met, and they I. During the weekly club meetings (Wednesday, 19:30hrs) I get to hear at least two hours of solid Greek from numerous voices which has helped my Greek language studies which I work on every Friday afternoon with my teacher Stella. So all around it has been a “win-win” situation. They do all the work, by the way. I am just a guide.
My own work? This week I hope to submit a new portfolio of digital abstract work to the Antiparos International Photography Exhibition for the upcoming summer 2018 show. This work is finished so I can talk about the fantasy digital land-sea scapes I have found and photographed. Very little Photoshopping, as you may guess. Just a slight curve here or there for contrast and to keep it WYSIWYG. Cross my fingers…I am also embarking on some alternative work which will open up some new technical and artistic avenues. I won’t say much more except that if the winter time is for the darkroom, this project will be perfect for the summer and all of our sun.
Oh yes…the anniversary of my 53rd trip around the sun was a few days ago so I celebrated yesterday with some friends at a local taverna–that is was also ‘Katheri Deutera’, or Clean Monday, informed the menu. The remains of the meal can be seen below. Lent begins today. I would like to keep the Lenten diet as much as possible for the next 40 days. It is a healthy choice here in Greece. Of course, this ‘diet’ predates any religious function as it was a result of the end of the winter, when the stored foods from the autumn harvest had run low (or out) and the agricultural population waited for the new crops of spring. So it will be lots of veggies for me, seafood without backbones, no cheese, no meat…thank the gods the Greeks are sensible enough to still allow olives and olive oil…
The collection of my mother’s newspaper articles is all but done. Last week I submitted the digital files to a printing company in Athens and the book goes to press this week. Finally! It has been years since I began this project, a memorial to my mother and a gift to family and friends. And I like this book company. They do nice work. I may put together a book of my own. A small collection of my photographs. We’ll see…let’s not talk about it yet.
So thats it for February. Right now there is a lovely, gentle, soaking rain blanketing the island. It is supposed to rain all day. Really great. I am tired of winter. I want spring, warmth and green things to see and eat. I need to swim in the sea and shed some of the layers I have had to wear all winter to stay warm and dry. The world moves ahead into the light and the alchemy I practice draws its magic from an ancient source.
clams, mussels, bean salad, pickles…
–JDCM