Panos Charalampidis and Mary Chairetaki are a Greek photographic duo. They are intrigued by the potential of the photographic art to act as a research tool that integrates the inherent evidential nature of the medium, with emotions and the human perspective. Their artistic work combines a personal approach with that of documentary and conceptual practices. They commit to long-term projects, immersing into their subjects and practice photography in order to understand. This procedure serves their artistic expression. Their work has been featured in international festivals (Athens Photo Festival, Medphoto, Angkor Photo Festival, San José Foto) and online publications.
Cornucopia
“Cornucopia” (horn of plenty), is a personal artistic research on the Lassithi plateau’s elusive identity. Lassithi plateau, situated at 840m ASL on the island of Crete, is a natural fortress with a particularly fertile land, surrounded by mountains. First inhabited during the Neolithic age, it became a major cult place of the Minoan civilization. This rich land which has nourished the inhabitants of Crete for centuries, is the same place that according to the myth, Zeus was born in a cave and according to another myth is the bridal bed of Europa. The plateau, similar to other Greek rural areas, has been under economic stress long before the generalized crisis. Young people are fleeting away, and the population is shrinking.
Being part of a continent that gallops towards an unknown future, we investigate the contemporary imagery of a lost link, that is part of the core mythology of Europe, seeking the possibility of the existence of a place’s resilient identity, that can only be found in the verge of the imaginary. As reflective practitioners, we persistently confront our experiences of this place, while shaping an unintended path that is open to interpretation.
To view more of Panos Charalampidis and Mary Chairetaki’s work please visit their website.