“People and Place – Salamina”: Salamina Through the Lens, Stories Through Time

Weaving together stories of the past and present, capturing the essence of Salamina as a place where history and modern life coexist in harmony

The Photography Club of Salamina – Photometry, with the financial support and patronage of the Ministry of Culture, presents the group photography exhibition “People and Place – Salamina”, curated by Ypatia Kornarou.

The photographs, taken during 2024, are the collective result of the Applied Conceptual Photography seminar with lecturer Ypatia Kornarou. Through the visual narrative, the place and the contemporary inhabitants of Salamis bring to life stories of the past and present. The sea that surrounds the island is an integral part of its identity, carrying the saltiness of a collective memory and accompanying each narrative. It is the link between a past full of history and a present full of life – the journey that begins when one arrives or leaves its port.

The participants in the photo shoot are residents of Salamina who volunteered. All the photographs were taken exclusively on the island. In the process of creating these conceptual images, the team often focused on highlighting Salamina’s cultural heritage.

The photographs bring to life personal and collective stories, memories and emotions. At the same time, they highlight the historical continuity of an island whose roots go back to ancient times.

The exhibition is accompanied by a video art documentary about Salamina and its people, co-produced by Photometry, Ypatia Kornarou and Nikolas Agapios. To mark the occasion, we spoke to curator and photographer Ipatia Kornarou.

How did the collaboration with the people of Salamina come about? Was there anything about their participation that surprised you?

Most of the filming for the video art documentary took place in August, right in the heart of summer. To be perfectly honest, working through a heat wave was one of the most significant challenges we faced. The intense temperatures made completing the footage physically demanding for everyone involved.

What truly stood out to me, however, was the incredible resilience and enthusiasm of the people of Salamina. Despite the sweltering conditions, the locals we encountered and the actors who participated in the filming were unwavering in their commitment. Their willingness to share their time and stories, without letting the high temperatures deter them, was both surprising and inspiring.

I believe this eagerness stemmed from a deep desire among the people of Salamina to share their personal narratives. Their openness and enthusiasm brought an authenticity and richness to the documentary, transforming the filming process into a collaboration that captured the soul of the island.

What were the main challenges in implementing this report?

From the beginning, this exhibition had a particular dynamic. The idea was ostensibly based on conceptual photography, but essentially it was driven by the need for a collective creativity that was exclusively about the local community of Salamina, the history and beauty of the place. Of course, from the beginning of the seminar I knew that our collaboration with the Salamina Photography Club would involve a transcendental effort, focusing on the extroversion of the island, but at the same time a penetrating approach to its identity. But the greatest challenge came later, with the idea and realisation of the documentary.

It was an unprecedented experience because it was the first time I had both directed and filmed a video art – documentary short. The project contained the excitement of my collaboration with the Photography Club of Salamina, where we set the goal of going beyond our capabilities to create a legacy of culture and art on the island. And so, after about a year of teamwork, we have arrived at the present day to hold both the opening of the photography exhibition and the screening of the documentary “People and Place, Salamina”.

Could you tell us about the process of selecting the locations and subjects for your photographs?

My connection with Salamis truly began through my introduction to the members of the Photography Club. When the opportunity to collaborate arose, I felt an immediate need to immerse myself in the island’s landscapes to understand the essence of the locations we would choose to photograph.

I started visiting Salamis as an explorer with a camera, venturing into unfamiliar places, seeking not only its beauty but also its light—the way it filters through and animates the natural and built environment. That initial exploration laid the foundation for the project.

From there, the process became more collaborative. Together with the members of the Photography Club, we revisited the locations, engaging in discussions to align our choices with the thematic focus of the shots. We aimed for diversity—not just in the subjects and locations but in the stories they told. Each site needed to reveal both the island’s deep-rooted history and its contemporary character.

At the same time, we valued creative freedom. The photographers were encouraged to express their personal styles in their work, choosing subjects that resonated with them individually. This balance between thematic direction and artistic autonomy enriched the project, allowing Salamis to be seen through many unique perspectives.

What do you hope the public will take away from this exhibition?

The deepest aspiration of all participants is to introduce Salamina to new social groups who may be unaware of its cultural and historical significance. At the same time, we aim to amplify the voice and artistic expressiveness of the local community, weaving together a vibrant artistic and cultural narrative.

Salamina is more than an island—it is a living poem, an ancient tragedy brought to life. Its golden fields of wheat sway in the breeze, whispering stories to the travelers who sail its salt-sprayed seas. From its shipyards echo metallic tones, reminiscent of mournful bells, while in summer, it finds solace in the embrace of the sea. When the sun grows weary, it retreats to the lush green mountains, where vistas of rugged Dalmatia stir its soul. There, Salamina reveals its most profound confessions—those that cannot be put into words.

Salamina is the island of Piraeus, a haven for those in search of a “nearby paradise.” Through this exhibition, we hope to share its unique spirit with the world, bridging history, art, and the pulse of its people.

The video documentary is a co-production of Photometry – Photography Club of Salamina, Ipatia Kornarou, Nicholas Agapiou. Editing: Meleti Pappas | Music editing: Stavros Kammas

Interviews: Jenny Vassiliou, Panagiotis Veltanisian, Nikolaos Viennas, Eleftheria Ganotidou, Nikos Glistis, Maria Giannoulides, Elias Drivas, Jose Elfers, Michalis Kaliotsos, Eleftherios Konsolas, Themis Mathiopoulou, Katie Margelou, Anastasia Papathanasiou, Anna Stambira.

Models: Nikolaos Agapios, Michalis Kaliotsos, Christina Sgoorda, Eleni Aliferi

Narration: Michael Kaliotsos