Stratos Kalafatis, Saga 2005
Photography Month
Kalfayan Galleries - Athens
http://www.kalfayangalleries.com/
Duration: 3 October - 11 November 2006
On Tuesday 3 October, 2006, 20.00 – 22.00, Kalfayan Galleries (6 Kapsali Str., Athens) present the exhibition of Stratos Kalafatis 'Saga 2005'.
The exhibition features works by Stratos Kalafatis from the photographic project Europen Eyes on Japan/Japan Today, curated in 2005 by Mikiko Kikuta. As part of this project, successfully organised since 1999, photographers working in Europe are invited to photograph the daily life of contemporary Japanese people in various prefectures of Japan.
Stratos Kalafatis describes his experience of photographing in the area of Saga as follows: «In Saga everything is orderly, clean and 'beautiful'. Such order is frightening for a photographer who is used to working in anarchic Mediterranean rhythms. The images seemed to hide; and as if in a hide-and-seek game, I had to discover them, searching through the grass or turning my gaze all around for hours. This method was already known to me from my previous projects. I photograph people, the space and insignificant details, creating a puzzle that once it is put together, it allows a story to unfold, a personal journal with images instead of words.
My biggest surprise was the contact I had with the people. With those who, for a few minutes or longer, accidentally or planned, stood before my camera with respect, admiration and sincerity. Way beyond the images, which always have been the tangible result and the excuse to get closer, there is something deeper and real.»
The exhibition constitutes a colourful portrait of contemporary Japan as captured through the photographic lens of Stratos Kalafatis.
Stratos Kalafatis was born in Kavala, Greece in 1966. In 2000 he was the Administrative Director of the Photography Center of Skopelos Island; from 19995 until 1997 he was a member of the Consulting Committee of the Photography Museum of Thessaloniki and from 1993 until 1997 the organizer and coordinator of the Photography Circle in Thessaloniki. Currently he lives and works in Thessaloniki.
