DESCRIPTION
The oppression of man’s freedom and the fight to win it back has been a constant theme in human history and consequently in literature, theater, cinema. The story changes each time: different time, different place, different means. At the core of the story lies the struggle against any kind of oppression that stems from our innate need for freedom.
With George Orwell’s 1984 in mind, I created nine images that resemble a nightmare. The protagonists are not part of Orwell’s universe; instead, they act inside a non-place and non-time. These nightmarish snapshots use symbolic and surrealistic elements, to describe the struggle against the oppression of personal freedom, with an uncertain outcome.
It is up to the viewer to seek the connection with themselves, the present and reality.
Photography/Set design/Video: Nicki Panou
Photographer’s assistant: Kiriaki Papadopoulou
Costumes: Nicki Panou, Kiriaki Papadopoulou
Models: Stathis Papoulidis, Katerina Ganda, Alexandros Stamatis, Stavros Siagalidis, Christina Papadopoulou
AUTHOR
Nicki Panou is a fine art photographer based in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Exhibitions
2084, Contrast Photography Festival of Thessaloniki, 1/12/2019-12/1/2020-
What lies beneath, CONTACT Photography Festival, Toronto, 1-31/5/2019-
The old han, a live space. Bensousan Han, Thessaloniki. 14/12/2018 -
Self-Portraits, E.S.P Gallery, 10/11-20/12/2017 -
Cheapart, 81st International Fair of Thessaloniki, 10-18/9/2016-
Parallel Voices 2015, Photometria Festival, Ioannina, 31/5-14/6/2015-
Influence Festival, Karditsa, 09-10/5/2015-
Meet the artist 5 – Spingtime, Myro Gallery, Thessaloniki, 26-28/3/2015-
“A different kind of reality”, Young Greek Photographers exhibition – 13th Kythera Photographic Encounters, Kythera, 25-28/9/2014-
“Foundation”, 6th Anakata Festival, Thessaloniki, 12-14/9/2014-
Chocofactory & Museum, Thessaloniki, 6/9/2014-6/3/2015
Awards
1st place, “The old han, a live space” contest, Photography Center of Thessaloniki/Bensousan Han/Lavart, 2018-
2nd place, IEK ESP contest, 2017-
Selection at the Portfolio contest, Photometria Festival, Ioannina, 2015-
Special Selection, Contest about chocolate, Center of Photography-Thessaloniki, 2014-
Honourable mention, 46th Coloured Digital Photography contest, Hellenic Photographic Society, 2014
