ILAND

Iland is a photopoetic composition and the result of more than three years research and photographic experimentation exploring the concept of homeland. The series is inspired by Cavafy's poem Ithaca and Homer's epic poem Odyssey. ‘Iland’ demonstrates a process of technical exploration with images and materials to resolve an investigation of photopoetry in a multifaceted manner. It brings a visceral sensation to the body through the research philosophies of Photopoetry using composition, placement, exposure, sequencing, and editing techniques. The physical and cerebral sensation of journey and memory is carried through the long hours taken to produce the final engaging outcome. The images are redolent with metaphor, emotion, intrigue, chaos, distance, and even points of despair. Each image is densely rich in the journey of fragmentation and renewal. Each has had its light (its memory of light) converted to pixels that have undertaken a transformation that grasps an origin. Each has its own time-scape with the tools of process and a patina of filters, manipulation, editing, and layering. The poetics of scaling, pairing, and sequence carve their mark to translate the memory (or moments of a memory) each image holds to the audience. Iland reflects a clear fascination and dedication to the genre of photopoetry. It allows the viewer to explore in-depth the sophisticated visual language that Messinis has evolved as his technique.