Kon Markogiannis is an existential poet, experimental photographer, collage artist, independent researcher and spiritual seeker with an interest in themes such as memory, mortality, spirituality, the human condition, the exploration of the human psyche and the evolution of consciousness. He sees his work as a kind of weapon against the ephemeral or, as Vilém Flusser would say (Towards a Philosophy of Photography), a “hunt for new states of things”. Kon has been exhibiting his art for many years (mainly in Greece and the UK) and his writings have been featured in various books, journals and magazines. His university studies include a BA in Visual Communication Design, an MA in Photography and a doctorate in Fine Art. He currently lives and works in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Books: Ίσως ο Θάνατος (Greek poetry), Ίχνη Φωτός (Greek poetry), Angelic Flights (poetry in Irish-Greek-Japanese, collaboration with Gabriel Rosenstock, Sarah Thilykou and Maki Starfield), Dysturban (photobook).
the 12 phobias
1.
I’m afraid
of tomorrow
today
yesterday
2.
I’m afraid
to live
afraid
to die
3.
I’m afraid
I won’t wake up
from the lethargy
of existence
4.
I’m afraid
of dreams
which haunt
my waking hours
5.
I’m afraid
to look
at my own
self
6.
I’m afraid
of my thoughts
my desires
my shadow
7.
I’m afraid
of the beast
which lives
within my gut
8.
I’m afraid
of nothingness
emptiness
and zeroness
9.
I’m afraid
of the darkness
which lies
inside me
10.
I’m afraid
I may be reborn
and repeat
the same mistakes
11.
I’m afraid
but I do not know
why I should
be afraid
12.
I’m afraid
I might find
that fear
does not exist
an dá fhóibe dhéag
1.
Tá eagla orm roimh
an lá amárach
an lá inniu
an lá inné
2.
Tá eagla orm
roimh an mbeatha
eagla orm
roimh an mbás
3.
Tá eagla orm
nach ndúiseod
as spadántacht
an tsaoil
4.
Tá eagla orm
roimh bhrionglóidí
a chéasann mé
is mé im’ dhúiseacht
5.
Tá eagla orm
breathnú
orm
féin
6.
Tá eagla orm
roimh mo chuid smaointe
mo mhianta
mo scáil
7.
Tá eagla orm
roimh an mbrúid
a chónaíonn
i m’ionathar
8.
Tá eagla orm
roimh neamhní
roimh an bhfolús
roimh nialas
9.
Tá eagla orm
roimh an dorchadas
atá
istigh ionam
10.
Tá eagla orm
go n-athshaolófaí mé
is na dearmaid chéanna
a dhéanamh arís
11.
Tá eagla orm
ach níl a fhios agam
cén fáth a mbeadh
eagla orm
12.
Tá eagla orm
go bhfaighinn amach
nach ann
don eagla
Haiku in four languages.
ANGELIC FLIGHTS is a collection of haiku written originally in Irish (Gaelic) by Gabriel Rosenstock, translated into English by the poet, Greek transcreation by Sarah Thilykou, and Japanese transcreation by Maki Starfield), and photographically complemented by Kon Markogiannis.
"These glimpses caught in words or images are each so weightless and so shifting that you could think they have no substance...that is, until the moment when like curling smoke and light they touch each other in the darkness, and a bright perception takes form, looks back at us, comes alive."
Philip Gross
"The exquisite fusion of image and word renders a deeply satisfying aesthetic experience, whereby we are transmuted by its profundity, exquisiteness and light. Indeed, accomplished artists in their own right, photographer and poet have melded their talents to produce a visceral and ethereal monograph on the flights of angels and in turn have lifted up our souls to the very gods."
Paula Marvelly (Editor The Culturium)
"The initial experience of flicking through the pages reminded me of seeing the films of the American filmmaker Kenneth Anger whose work was a blend of surrealism, eroticism and the occult . . . For those who like the ambitious and iconoclastic, and also mingle a taste for the horror channel with a penchant for the shadow side of the psyche, this would make a great gift."
Diana Webb, review in Blithe Spirit, Journal of the British Haiku Society, Vol. 32, No.2
