George Koutsouvelis

morse signals

Luminous Becoming

imagine

Nocturnal Negatives

poem for two strangers

in search of contact

Biography

Born 1974. Zakynthos island, Greece.George Koutsouvelis is a visual artist, photographer and educator who lives and works in Athens, Greece. He is a certified Adobe instructor and also has degree in Computer Science. Over the years, George has gained solid experience teaching workshops in photo editing, photographic practice and thinking, always in experiential, project based aproach.

Artist' s statement

My work delves into the boundaries between presence and absence, reality and illusion, capturing fleeting moments of transition in everyday scenes. It focuses on juxtapositions of light and shadow, solitude and connection, the mundane and the surreal. Reflections, silhouettes, and obscured forms invite viewers to question what is revealed and hidden in daily encounters.Central to my artistic philosophy is the conviction that Photography, becomes art through series, creating visual narratives that mirror the complex human experience. As an adherent to the "Slow Art” movement, I encourage viewers to linger with each series, rejecting rapid image consumption. This approach aligns with my belief that true artistic appreciation unfolds gradually, revealing layers of meaning over time.For my personal projects, I use a smartphone - the camera that millions carry daily -, challenging boundaries between high art and everyday experience. This is not merely a technical choice, but a philosophical stance on perception and creativity in our digital era. This limitation becomes a creative catalyst, serving my need for "defamiliarization" and uncovering poetry in the mundane. I strongly believe that profound beauty and meaning are not exclusive to sophisticated equipment, but accessible to all who cultivate a discerning eye and an open heart.Thematically, my art grapples with identity, memory, and time in our digital landscape, examining how spaces shape inner worlds and fleeting encounters evoke reflections on the collective unconscious. There's a gentle melancholy to many of my images, but also moments of transcendent beauty and connection.Ultimately, my work invites engagement in a slower, more contemplative relationship with images. I strive to create visual poems that resonate emotionally - provoking the viewer to pause, reflect, and perhaps see their own world with fresh eyes. In a fast-paced digital age, my series offer quiet moments of introspection and wonder at the complex tapestry of human experience.

Selected Exhibitions

2023  Exposure Photo Festival, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.2022  Influx Gallery, The endless exhibition , Notting Hill London.2021  Indian Photography Festival , Hyderabad, India.2021  ImageNation Milan: The new aesthetics, Milan, Italy.2019  Venus Gallery, Reflect on me, Mykonos island, Greece.2018  Saatchi Gallery, On Rain, London.

Interviews/presentations

Hocus Photus35 mm by ManiannaMoments CollectiveiFocusEdge of HumanityJapan Camera HuntersPhotologioEFSYN newspaper ( EN/EL)

prizes/awards

2022  12th Annual International Mobile Photo Awards (MPA), Honorable Mention.2020  10th Annual International Mobile Photo Awards (MPA), 1st Place Winner.2018  LensCulture Street Photography Awards, Editors Pick.

Imagine: An algorythmic dystopia

(excerpt)

“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”G.K. Chesterton

This project explores the blurred line between human-created and machine-generated imagery, inspired by Vilém Flusser's philosophy. It juxtaposes AI-produced images with real photographs, challenging viewers to question representation and reality in our digital era.Flusser argued that technical images, particularly photographs, have become the dominant form of communication, supplanting linear text. He viewed these images as projections of complex calculations rather than mere representations of reality. This work takes Flusser's ideas to their extreme, presenting a world where human-captured moments and algorithmically generated scenes are nearly indistinguishable.By combining AI-generated and real images, the project invites viewers to confront a future where algorithms increasingly mediate our perception of reality. It also explores Flusser's concept of the "black box" – the opaque nature of image-creating technologies – and challenges us to examine our relationship with digital imagery critically."Imagine: an algorithmic dystopia" serves as both a warning and a call to action, asking how we might retain our humanity and agency in a world dominated by machine-generated "reality", that increasingly shape our perception of the world.

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Nocturnal Negatives

In "Nocturnal Negatives" I explore the enigmatic realm where dreams and reality intertwine, inviting viewers to traverse the boundaries of their own inner worlds. Through a series of meticulously composed photographs, I seek to externalize the ineffable experiences of the subconscious mind, rendering visible the whispers of my deepest thoughts and emotions.Each image serves as a portal, beckoning the observer to step into a landscape where familiar objects take on new meanings and impossible scenarios become plausible. By employing a consistent blue palette and surreal juxtapositions, I aim to create a cohesive dreamscape that resonates with one's own subconscious, encouraging introspection and a reevaluation of the barriers we perceive between the tangible and the imagined.

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Luminous Becoming

In the transitional space between being and becoming, this visual exploration delves into the profound journey of self-transformation through the lens of enlightenment. The collection captures the metaphysical metamorphosis of the human spirit, portraying the ephemeral moments of dissolution and reconstitution that mark our evolution towards a higher state of awareness. Through a carefully curated interplay of light and shadow, clarity and obscurity, it seeks to visualize the ineffable process of shedding old paradigms and embracing new realities.Drawing inspiration from diverse philosophical traditions and modern psychology, the series invites viewers to contemplate their own potential for radical self-renewal. Each photograph serves as a mirror, reflecting the universal struggle and triumph inherent in the quest for self-actualization. By confronting the viewer with both the vulnerability and power of transformation, the project challenges us to embrace the discomfort of growth and the ecstasy of awakening, ultimately illuminating the path toward a more authentic and enlightened existence.

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poem for two strangers

A fish
and a bird
can fall in love
But where
will they make
their nest?

In the liminal space between encounter and understanding, "Poem for Two Strangers" unfolds as a visual meditation on ephemeral human bonds. Imagery confronts the paradox of shared isolation. Each frame serves as a stanza of a poem, in an unspoken dialogue between self and other, challenging perceptions of individuality and collective consciousness. Also explores existence's interstices, where fleeting encounters leave indelible marks. It probes the nature of identity, boundary fluidity, and our profound interconnectedness.

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in search of contact

In this series, I explore the tension between isolation and our fundamental human need for connection. Through this set of paired images – vibrant color photographs alongside stark black and white compositions – I invite viewers to experience the world through two distinct lenses: the deceptively lively exterior we present to others, and the often lonely interior landscape of those yearning for genuine human contact. By using the metaphor of a stray dog, I tap into our shared vulnerability and the primal nature of our desire for companionship.This body of work challenges observers to confront the disparity between outward appearances and inner experiences in modern society. By juxtaposing the observer's colorful perspective with the monochromatic view of the "stray," I aim to provoke a reconsideration of our assumptions about connection and belonging. Through these contrasting visuals, I not only highlight the pervasive sense of disconnection in contemporary life but also celebrate the resilience of the human spirit in its unrelenting pursuit of meaningful relationships. My hope is that “In Search of Contact" will inspire reflection on our own experiences of isolation and our capacity for empathy and connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

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Morse signals

(excerpt)

"Morse Signals" plunges into the raw psychological landscape of human isolation, where darkness becomes both a physical space and a metaphor for our deepest fears. Through a series of stark nocturnal photographs, I document the visceral experience of being alone in the dark—that primal moment when our senses heighten and our minds become battlegrounds between reason and terror. Each frame captures figures in states of psychological tension, their bodies and gestures expressing the agony of disconnection, while distant lights pierce through the darkness like desperate attempts at communication.Yet, as the series unfolds toward dawn, it reveals the transformative power of first light—a universal symbol of renewal and hope. The work excavates those moments we all recognize: the racing heartbeat when alone in darkness, the suffocating weight of isolation, but also the profound relief that comes with sunrise. By manipulating light as both savior and specter, I create visual poems about human vulnerability and our capacity for resilience. These images serve as mirrors, reflecting back to viewers their own experiences of isolation while acknowledging a shared truth: even in our darkest moments, the promise of dawn reminds us that no darkness lasts forever, and every sunrise brings with it the possibility of connection and renewal.

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