Nikos Economopoulos

The Evagoras and Kathleen Lanitis Foundation, together with the photographic association “Photodos” host a unique photographic journey dedicated to the renowned modern day Greek photographer Nikos Economopoulos, from 5th December 2008 – 10th January 2009. The exhibition material of the photographer has been provided, completely free, by the Mbenaki Museum and consists of 150 black and white photographs, mainly from Greece and the Balkans which are representative of the 20 or so years of his photographic course.

Nikos Economopoulos is the first Greek photographer (the other being the great photographer of Magnum, Constantinos Manos who is perceived as an American of Greek origin) to become a member of the international photographic agency MAGNUM. This point might help us to better understand his “documentary-based” beliefs. The photographer moves between photographic quality and journalistic demands consciously choosing codes of communication that win the public but at the same time enable him to express, with honesty his true feelings for the world. Maybe that is why many of his black and white photographs, mainly from the Balkans, are recognised by some of the most renowned in the photographic world. His understanding together with what he has witnessed and experienced and also his enthusiasm for companionship stem mainly from his conception of Man from whatever part of the world and they remind us that “man is one and unbreakable regardless of geography, ethnic or religious divisions/diversities” as quoted by the Manager of the Benaki Museum Mr Angelos Deliforias.