Photo © Ioustini Drakoulakou
Creative - NOMINEE: Ioustini Drakoulakou
Losing Turquoise
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Turquoise gemstone is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium. Its chemical composition CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8•4(H2O)could vary in different specimens of the mineral and any change in it affects its colour, weight or hardness. Due to its changeable nature, it has been ideal for the creation of myths and superstitions around it since ancient times.
“A belief of the southwestern Indians was that turquoise could be used in order to protect the wearer from harm, relieve him from worry and bring happiness to him” (Duncan, 1968)
Sometimes the outcome from several incidents that occurred over time, may lead to the re-evaluation of what once was considered to be important or crucial for one’s wellbeing. After the realisation that the “magic filters” did not work and the “square” nature of previous beliefs was depriving oneself of the potential of other perspectives and possibilities, there comes an exponential decay of the safety that all these convictions were formerly providing. There is an internal struggle. The dreams are “scratched”, and the reality is distorted. A world is collapsing for a new one to be built. The ideals and stereotypes are given their real dimensions. They are earthed, and this results in the loss of the prestige they once had.
The space, where this process takes place, is opposed to the binary thinking that defines good/bad. The approach is more subjective and experiential rather than positivistic. It is an indefinite space which, although it is based on facts, rejects rationality and, under a constant questioning, allows the “negative” to transform into “positive” and vice versa.
About author:
Born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. A practising photographer since 2015. After completing a BSc in Geology (2014) at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and postgraduate studies at the same department, she studied photography at Stereosis School of Photography (Thessaloniki, 2015-2018). Currently, she is completing her MA in Photography at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her photography has participated in group exhibitions in Greece and abroad with the most recent participation at SCOPE Art Show (Miami Beach, December 2018) and Photobiennale (Thessaloniki, September 2018).
“A belief of the southwestern Indians was that turquoise could be used in order to protect the wearer from harm, relieve him from worry and bring happiness to him” (Duncan, 1968)
Sometimes the outcome from several incidents that occurred over time, may lead to the re-evaluation of what once was considered to be important or crucial for one’s wellbeing. After the realisation that the “magic filters” did not work and the “square” nature of previous beliefs was depriving oneself of the potential of other perspectives and possibilities, there comes an exponential decay of the safety that all these convictions were formerly providing. There is an internal struggle. The dreams are “scratched”, and the reality is distorted. A world is collapsing for a new one to be built. The ideals and stereotypes are given their real dimensions. They are earthed, and this results in the loss of the prestige they once had.
The space, where this process takes place, is opposed to the binary thinking that defines good/bad. The approach is more subjective and experiential rather than positivistic. It is an indefinite space which, although it is based on facts, rejects rationality and, under a constant questioning, allows the “negative” to transform into “positive” and vice versa.
About author:
Born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. A practising photographer since 2015. After completing a BSc in Geology (2014) at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and postgraduate studies at the same department, she studied photography at Stereosis School of Photography (Thessaloniki, 2015-2018). Currently, she is completing her MA in Photography at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her photography has participated in group exhibitions in Greece and abroad with the most recent participation at SCOPE Art Show (Miami Beach, December 2018) and Photobiennale (Thessaloniki, September 2018).