SPYROS STAVERIS’ EXHIBITION OPENING
The opening of the photography exhibition by Spyros Staveris “A world without margins” took place on Saturday, November 5, at the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, in the framework of the 52nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
“I am happy to have been given the opportunity to witness firsthand how the Thessaloniki Film Festival collaborates with the city and the people of Thessaloniki to such a remarkable effect. The Spyros Staveris’ exhibition is tangible attestation to the fruitful cooperation between the Film Festival and the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography”, said Zoe Kazazaki, general director for Modern Culture at the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in her welcoming speech. Referring to the work of Spyros Staveris, she noted: “Each of his works can be seen as a narration, as the starting point of a documentary; therefore, the exhibition ideally ‘converses’ with the Festival”. Mrs. Kazazaki went on to congratulate TIFF and Museum of Photography directors Mrs. Eipides and Ioakimides respectively, “for producing, despite limited resources, such impressive outcomes”. “Despite budget cuts, the Ministry of Culture makes every effort to take advantage of European funding programs, in order to support institutions and artists and promote their work in Greece and abroad”, added Mrs. Kazazaki.
In his speech, TIFF director Dimitris Eipides noted: “The Thessaloniki Film Festival and the city’s Museum of Photography have a time-honored relationship. We have collaborated many times in the past for important exhibitions, since the arts of photography and the cinema are close relatives. I am glad that a new opportunity for renewing our collaboration presented itself in the form of an exhibition by a very important artist, Spyros Staveris“. Mr. Eipides congratulated the renowned photographer on the fact that his work “features the same dynamism exhibited by many good films”.
Taking the floor, the Thessaloniki Museum of Photography director, Vangelis Ioakimides, said: “It is with great joy that we are collaborating once more with the Thessaloniki Film Festival, jointly organizing this exhibition, in the framework of our museum’s exhibition program ‘Photography and Cinema’”. Mr. Ioakimides explained that the exhibition is a retrospective, featuring approximately 300 works by Staveris since 1982. The works presented include images from the streets, photos of city life, portraits of famous and everyday people, snapshots from various events (from island fetes to scenes from society’s marginalized strands), as well as material from the photographer’s travels. “The exhibition presents a world without margins, as the title implies”, noted Mr. Ioakimides.
Spyros Staveris said: “I am happy to share these photographs with you. Actually, I had forgotten the existence of many of them. It took a dive into my chaotic archive by Vangelis Ioakimides to reveal works from what I would call the ‘prehistoric’ period of my career”. The photographer said that the invitation to participate in the Thessaloniki International Film Festival was “a rare gift”. As he explained, his ties to the Festival go a long way back: “It was the time when Exostis magazine was at its peak; when Themis Bazaka was only a girl working at a bar, showering us with invitations, because she had taken a liking to us”. Mr. Staveris added that the retrospective exhibition allows him to reconnect with his past, a past “that has been permeated by the infinite number of films I have watched at the French Film Archive; the latter equipped me with the necessary foundations that allowed me to find my path in the art of photography”. Staveris made special reference to the hardships Greece has fallen into. “Three people who are involved in and honored by the Festival have worshiped Greece. I am referring to Dimitris Eipides, Constantine Giannaris and myself. The three of us, all emigres who share a deep love for Greece and the same passion for beauty and the truth, have a groundbreaking worldview that could help things take a step forward in our country”.
Staveris’ exhibition is organized in the following sections: "The Beginning", "The Search", "The Spectacle", "The Protagonists", "The Backstage" and "The Celebration". Some of his works are presented by slide show. The exhibition also features a short film on the artist's work and career, directed by Panos Thomaides. Vangelis Ioakimides is the exhibition’s curator. Alexandra Athanasiadou and Thanos Stavropoulos were responsible for planning and organizing the exhibition, while Anna Milosi was in charge of production.
The exhibition is one of the events of the 52nd TIFF funded by the European Union - European Regional Development Fund, in the framework of the Regional Operational Program of Central Macedonia 2007-2013.
