Casondra's Adventures: August 2016

September 3, 2015: In and Around Glossa with Thea, Skopelos Island, Greece (Mama Mia!)

Copyright Casondra Sobieralski, 2015. Please contact photographer for permission to use.

This batch of photos represents my tenth day's exploration of the Island of Skopelos, where I did a 2.5 week artist-in-residency at the ever-enchanting Skopelos Foundation for the Arts.

I was really there to do a video installation, so these photos were just my way of exploring and establishing a sense of place.

It was my former housemate, Thea, who told me about Skopelos and encouraged me to apply for the artist-in-residency. Thea has been going to Skopelos for over 24 years. She, however, stays with friends on the other side of the island, in a town called Glossa. (I stayed in the town of Skopelos. So Skopelos is both the name of the island and the name of a town on the island.)

Thea and her friend took me to the place where the film set to Abba music, Mama Mia, was filmed. And then they took me to her friend's house for lunch. There his wife had an amazing vegetarian feast waiting for us. Everything was delicious, but the dessert stood out because I had never had anything like it. It was like a flan made from whipped juiced grapes. No added sugar. Almond shavings on top. It was light as air. Seemed like something the gods would have eaten. --but I don't have a picture. ;)

Remember, you can click on these thumbnails to see large versions.

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We are climbing up to the top of that rock. Her friend built the staircase of a couple hundred stairs. So at least I know they were well constructed! Here we go...

Still climbing, looking down...

Church on top of the rock

Back down at the bottom, restoring my balance.

Got 11 minutes, 6 seconds? See the video I installed at SkopArts. Installation was life size: https://vimeo.com/139816791

September 2, 2015: Beach Near Skopelos Foundation for the Arts

Copyright Casondra Sobieralski, 2015. Please contact photographer for permission to use.

This batch of photos represents my ninth day's exploration of the Island of Skopelos, where I did a 2.5 week artist-in-residency at the ever-enchanting Skopelos Foundation for the Arts.

I was really there to do a video installation, so these photos were just my way of exploring and establishing a sense of place.

Mostly I shot video this day, so just a few photos...

Remember, you can click on these thumbnails to see large versions.

Got 11 minutes, 6 seconds? See the video I installed at SkopArts. Installation was life size: https://vimeo.com/139816791

September 1, 2015: Panormos Underwater, Skopelos Boat Harbor

This batch of photos represents my eighth day's exploration of the Island of Skopelos, where I did a 2.5 week artist-in-residency at the ever-enchanting Skopelos Foundation for the Arts.

I was really there to do a video installation, so these photos were just my way of exploring and establishing a sense of place.

Mostly I shot underwater video here, until I started getting prickly stings from jelly fish. So just a few photos...

Yeah, jelly fish. Apparently it almost NEVER happens in the waters of Skopelos. I didn't have my glasses on, so I thought someone lost some fishing line that got tangled. Then I started feeling these little electric zaps. I thought maybe they were electric shrimp, like I experienced snorkeling in Maui in 2005. Then it started getting unbearable. Swam back to shore. Everyone was complaining about the jellyfish. Dah! Call me land lubber.

Got 11 minutes, 6 seconds? See the video I installed at SkopArts. Installation was life size: https://vimeo.com/139816791

August 29, 2015: Church and Monastery in the hills, Skopelos

Copyright Casondra Sobieralski, 2015. Please contact photographer for permission to use.

This batch of photos represents my fifth day's exploration -- part 2 -- of the Island of Skopelos, where I did a 2.5 week artist-in-residency at the ever-enchanting Skopelos Foundation for the Arts.

I was really there to do a video installation, so these photos were just my way of exploring and establishing a sense of place.

I hiked to a small church, and then a big monastery, on a 100-degree day. It was a long uphill trek to the monastery -- about 5 miles -- in the scorching heat. It was definitely worth the effort. The monastery is being restored, and the interior is all guilt in gold. Whereas the monastery featured on the first day was run by a cranky monk, this one was run by the sweetest, kindest, bearded nun who stood about four feet + two inches tall. When she learned I walked up that big hill from town, she started stuffing home-grown plumbs in my pocket. She came back to me for three rounds of pocket stuffing. She said most people drive.

(Note, the monastery was very dim inside. If you ever go, take a tripod. I didn't have one and it was a missed opportunity.)

First pictures though, are from the small church full of icons. There were only 3 seats in this little chapel, and the grandma energy was palpable. The toughness, the unconditional love, the prayers for babies, the neighborhood chatter -- you could feel the leftover energy of it all.

Remember, you can click on these thumbnails to see large versions.

THE SMALL CHURCH