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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Thirty: When walls speak and we listen > Street Sign, Athens, Greece, 2005
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20-SEP-2005

Street Sign, Athens, Greece, 2005

The street signs in Athens hang on the sides of buildings and homes. They tell us where we are in both the Greek alphabet and the modern Greek language in the Roman alphabet. I devote much of the image to the wall bearing the sign, yet also include the tightly closed shutters set within the wall. The sign speaks – it tells us where we are. The shutters speak as well. They keep us from seeing what lies beyond the wall. Dappled light grazes both sign and shutter, cloaking both in gold and shadow.

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Phil Douglis07-Oct-2005 23:43
That's why I posted this image, Lisbeth. To make you more aware of the subtle contrasts awaiting us at every turn. And contrasts almost always convey expressive thoughts and ideas.
Lisbeth Landstrøm04-Oct-2005 19:56
I also see this photo as an effectfull example of how we are blinded by habitual perceptions. Seeing that a street sign and a closed window can work together in a thought provoking photo - that requires some unspoilt thoughts in the first place. Each day I pass an endless row of signs and closed windows and I never thought of their contrasting expressions. It hits me that there must be so much more "to see" and catch....
Phil Douglis02-Oct-2005 21:08
Thanks, Agnes and Clara for your comments. I am glad my image inspires so much thought -- that is its purpose. It is more than a picture of a wall, a sign, and a shutter. It is a catalyst to thinking, and both of you have done well by it.
Phil Douglis02-Oct-2005 21:06
Thanks, Agnes and Clara for your comments. I am glad my image inspires so much thought -- that is its purpose. It is more than a picture of a wall, a sign, and a shutter. It is a catalyst to thinking, and both of you have done well by it.
Guest 02-Oct-2005 15:21
Again you reflect on the signs of a culture that respects another (Roman), newer.
Once more the Past gives us a lesson. Of generosity.
And the wall talks of another rythm of living, even in the 21th century.
As if they will not allow to be swallowed by the future.
Guest 02-Oct-2005 12:05
So mine is the second one:)

I think the key for this photo those two numbers..26 & 22.....and a arrow between them.....they should be in an opposit way..22 and just than the numebr 26....but as they are like this, they can symbolise the time...the way of our life nowdays......that sometimes we think we are going forward..the World develop day by day..it should!...but.....when we look at this image, we start to think...that its advance to the wrong direction............................................As the letters can mean this also..as u said the text written in both tipe of greek,on the old one and on the new one also...so we can choose..do we want to stay at the past, follow the old customs, ...or........we gonna live the new stile.......what might change our life bad way....................................................The shutters....well.......those are the symbols of the life........ we can open them, and than we might see something new...something different, unknown...good or bad..we can not know..................but we can keep them closed...so we will stay in our time, life, World...............................................

Dont think that i am so pessimistic...im really not............but sometimes i just feel, that the Worl around us goes to the wrong direction as i said........................and your photo was exactly expressing this for me.................................

Really nice to have u around again!
A.
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