Black and white photography

Take The Leap/Tο Aλμα

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‘The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong. but we take leap after leap in the dark.’ -Agnes de mille (American Dancer)

«Ο καλλιτέχνης δεν ξέρει ποτέ εντελώς. Υποθέτουμε. Μπορεί να είναι λάθος. αλλά παίρνουμε άλμα μετά από άλμα στο σκοτάδι. “-Agnes de mille (Αμερικανός Xορευτής)

Precious Pearls/Πολυτιμα Μαργαριταρια

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The gemstone pearl is the birthstone for the month of June. It was a popular gem among the royals throughout the ages. Pearls are the only gems that comes from a living sea creatures like the shelled mollusk. The pearl is considered to be a naturally beautiful since the gem doesn’t need to undergo any changes in order to reveal its beauty.

“And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!”-Revelation 18:16

The Duchess’ Tower/O Πυργος της Δουκισσας

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The ‘tourell Pentelli’ built by the Duchess of Placentias. Ο Πυργίσκος Tourelle της Δούκισσας Πλακεντίας στην Πεντέλη.

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It was built in 1846, but the construction was never completed. Χτίστηκε το 1846, αλλά η κατασκευή δεν ολοκληρώθηκε ποτέ.

When I took a photograph of this building I had no idea what the history of the building was. I decided to do a little research and was really surprised by what I found out. The building that I photographed is the ‘Tourelle Pentelli’ or ‘Pentelli Tower’ and it is located on Mt. Pentelli northeast of Athens. The construction on this building began in 1846, but there were many mishaps and it was never completed. The buildings’ purpose was to house the personell of the Duchess de Plasisance (1785-1854). It was one of many buildings that Sophie Barbé de Marbois, Duchesse de Plaisance constructed in Athens. Most Athenians in the 19th Century and up until 1950, only knew her as the Duchess of Placentias and they had no idea that she was American born. The Duchess was born in Philadelphia, USA and her father was a French Consul-General in the U.S. She was a great supporter of the Greek war of Independence, so she arrived in Greece in 1829 to help out.  She was very philanthropic and was much talked about at the time. She died in May of 1854 at the age of 69 and she is buried near the tower. There is a metro station in Athens named after her. The station is located on the land that once belonged to her.

Fresh as a daisy!/Μαργαριτες

The beautiful and simple daisy symbolizes purity, chastity, cleanliness.  The word daisy comes from the Middle English  ‘day’s eye’ because of how the flower opens and closes with the sun. The Greek word for daisy is ‘Margarita’ which is also the feminine name ‘Margaret’ a name used in western culture.