Borders

A long-term project that explores Greece's borders, blending history and memory with the contemporary experience. The work challenges the conventional perception of borders by portraying them as contemporary monuments.

The "Borders" project explores the borders of Greece, viewing them not only as physical demarcations of space but also as intangible constructs that dynamically evolve, continuously shaping collective perceptions and delineating the concept of "Us" in juxtaposition to the “Other."

The photographic series presents two distinct narratives that merge in a shared space, revealing the multifaceted nature of borders. The first narrative centers on the material aspects of borders, capturing the memory of people's historical claims and struggles etched in the landscape. It portrays the diverse manifestations of border constructions, ranging from landmarks and structures erected to demarcate, monitor, and safeguard territorial sovereignty to spaces of abandonment or juxtaposition with modern fences.

The second narrative delves into the contemporary lived experience of the borders. Within these restricted areas, the mere presence of the photographer and the prohibited act of photographing them intrude upon the landscape. This intrusion not only portrays the border as a site of power enforcement but also as a space where the perception of borders is continuously constructed—a realm permeated by a palpable sense of surveillance, unease, anxiety, fear, and subjugation.

In an era where reinforcing borders is resurfacing globally as a strategy to safeguard national economies from the impacts of conflicts, pandemics, and climate change, this project endeavors to challenge the conventional perception of borders by portraying them as contemporary monuments. These monuments serve as a reflection of humanity's inclination to delineate its perceived collective identity from the "Other" existing beyond the border lines. Yet, simultaneously, they underscore the inherent failure of nation-states to truly achieve this segregation. This living monument stands as a reminder that no border lasts forever.