Against Sirens

From the series To incline (2025)

Walking around the Triantaros village in Tinos, one can easily discern the simplicity of a well studied, functionable structure of its streetscape. However, if the passerby allows himself to fully integrate with the location, the feeling to be left with has neither aesthetic - decorative pleasure- or operative -protection from climate dynamics- values. It somehow promotes inner peace, acceptance, measure, wisdom. It invites you to think clearer -too much whiteness around, even in the cue of brilliant white- and to look broader -too prolongued horizon scape, to the degree you realise that earth is not flat, so your whole understanding should better curve.

Bendind, to whatever is bigger than an atom, a person, a soul, is probably the active verb that fits the rule here. The felt sense provided in this island, is one that whispers something like “To that which can unite all and include all, let’s incline”. In the words of a Greek psalm «Τας κεφαλάς ημών τω Κυρίω κλίνομεν » (we incline our heads to the Lord) as it helps the soul to be humbled, concentrated, redeemed. In Greek language the aforementioned verb can be accurately translated as κατανύσσω, which means a deep bite/drilling of the soul, able to bring reverence and redemptive tears.

Ιn order to take some photographs here, I had to slightly incline. Not to the usually intense wind, these days it was not blowing. Many visitors to Tinos incline/bend while approaching the island’s main church; who knows, it might be a way to reach. Whatever one wishes to.

Edition: 1/15
Artist: Vassilis Kantas
Year: 2025
Medium: Archival pigment print on premium matte paper, framed in plain wood.
Size: 28 × 43 cm

https://vassiliskantas.gr/