Interview with Black and White photographer Spiros Zervoudakis

Spiros Zervoudakis was born in Athens . He studied Mathematics in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , continued with Post Graduate studies (Msc) in Applied Mathematics in the Technical University of Crete and Philosophy of Mathematics in National University of Athens.

His occupation with photography started when he attended classes on Photography in the Photographic Group of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and continued by attending international seminars and lectures. He has presented his work in individual and group Exhibitions both in Greece and abroad. His works are exhibited in the “Benaki Museum” (Athens), in the Benetton Foundation’s collection, in “Contemporary Art Museum – Olivepress” (Chania) as well as in many private collections in Greece and abroad.

He lives, works and creates in the city of Chania, Crete.

TRAP
An attempt to set up visual bridges between two parallel and conflicting worlds and arches erected partnership between dream and reality. The boxed undersea world is dreamy. Aquatic creatures, mythical creatures and humans coexist in alien, utopian landscapes. Live beyond the limits of imagination and develop their action in the dark liquid Yerevan. The light, absolute and whitewashed, preying and delineate the boundaries of ” banned over the world.” The heroes are emerging from total darkness conspiratorially, lightning hit the intruder intruder and the unsuspecting viewer who inadvertently involved. The man ( who always appears in reflection ) is free from the presumptuousness of the owner of this world. The dream finally mutates into extra-terrestrial and unorthodox nightmare.

How and when did you become interested in photography?

My occupation with photography started when I attended classes on Photography in the Photographic Group of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, during my studies in Mathematics, and continued by attending international workshops and lectures (Platon Rivellis, Costas Manos, Stella Johnson etc).

Is there any artist/photographer who inspired your art?

Garry Winogrand with his exotic obsessions, Nikos Economopoulos because of the Balkan absurd and Michael Ackerman because of the haunted beauty of his work.

Why do you work in black and white rather than colour?

By removing the color, I remove a parameter of reality, thus becoming easier to get through an imaginary message or a surrealistic depiction.

How much preparation do you put into taking a photograph/series of photographs?

All my projects are long-term ones. Usually the initial conception is random (or I think it is..). But what follows is a persistent study for the creation of it as well as for its final form.

Where is your photography going? What projects would you like to accomplish?

As time goes by, my work becomes more and more esoteric. The initial extroversion shrinks and its place is taken up by an inner quest. In that way, despite the experience, the “Grammar of Beauty” becomes harder to follow.

Website: www.zervoudakis.eu