Empty Table
by Konstantinos Koutsonikolas
portfolio special mention call 'Urbanautica Institute Awards 2023', 2023
Category: Nature, Environment and Perspectives
This collection of images is the outcome of numerous exploration trips undertaken within
the public spaces surrounding the Halkidiki peninsula in Greece. The project delves into
fragments of a contemporary landscape profoundly affected by the industrial transformation
of what was once a rural haven.
This sensitive ecoregion, once the birthplace of the philosopher Aristotle, remains of great
historical and cultural significance in Greece though has undergone substantial changes in
recent years due to the extensive impact of the mining industry.
While its rich history and cultural importance persist, the area now bears the visible scars of
extractive operations, leading to social divisions and posing a severe threat to the ecosystem
of the untouched forests.
On my effort to frame the landscape at the edges of the mining facilities I found, beyond the
large fenced off parts of the mountain, a blend of remnants and byproducts offering a
complex narrative that speaks to both the environmental and aesthetic dimensions of the
region.
My intent is not to merely present evidence but to evoke thoughtful contemplation by
posing questions about the dynamic interplay between human industry, nature, and the
consequences of our actions on this delicate terrain.
also from Urbanautica Institute Awards 2023