The inner world of Mastic Villages
Words by Katerina Biliouri
Location
Chios, Greece
Chios, Greece
Location
If Christopher Columbus once declared that nowhere else had he encountered anything like Chios Mastic, Yatzer must proclaim that nowhere else has it seen a more evocative photographic portrayal of the Mastic Villages than in the work of Stratis Vogiatzis.
The Mastihohoria (Mastic Villages) is a mesmerizing series of photographs by the Greek photographer, dedicated to the unique villages of Chios, an island famed for its mastic resin, often referred to as the “tears of Chios.” Through his 2009 book Inner World, Vogiatzis unveils the captivating essence of these traditional settlements, once built around the cultivation of the precious crystal “tear” shed annually by the mastic trees.
Born in Chios, Stratis Vogiatzis is a self-taught photographer whose work has taken him across the globe. Since 2003, he has documented stories in regions as diverse as Kosovo, India, Morocco, Iran, and Palestine, with a focus on refugees, NGOs, and marginalized communities. His academic background in political and social sciences and his commitment to volunteer work align seamlessly with his photographic projects. Notably, he contributed to a UNHCR-published book on Kosovo refugees, showcasing his ability to blend art with advocacy.
Book Cover, photo © Stratis Vogiatzis
The Mastihohoria project, however, is deeply personal. Rooted in his connection to the island of his birth, the series transcends architecture, delving into the emotional and spiritual essence of these abandoned villages. Spanning 2.5 years, the project feels like an extension of a lifelong journey, intertwining the photographer’s inner world with the evocative spaces he captures.
For Vogiatzis, this exploration was far more than a photographic venture—it was a mystic experience. Initially approached with an architectural lens, the vibrant colors, timeless energy, and hauntingly empty homes soon shifted his perspective. He became immersed in the untold stories and silent “souls” of the objects within. Each photograph became a meditation, requiring hours of presence until the perfect moment for the shutter arrived.
Photo © Stratis Vogiatzis
The absence of people in these images paradoxically amplifies their presence. Vogiatzis masterfully captures the traces of lives once lived—seen in the arrangement of objects, the patina of walls, and the stillness of empty chairs. As he explains, “I could still feel the people, their presence and their stories crammed into the corners of every room. Even though the people were absent, they declared their presence in an intense and mystical way.”
This interplay between absence and presence creates an almost erotic relationship between objects and time. Vogiatzis found that even when he attempted to move items for better composition, he would instinctively return them to their original positions, as if the objects themselves dictated their place in history and memory.
Each room in the series becomes a portrait of its owner, immortalizing their essence in the stillness of their possessions. The photographs invite the viewer to imagine the lives once lived there—their routines, their joys, and their sorrows.
Photo © Stratis Vogiatzis
In the introduction to Mastihohoria: Inner World, Giorgos Pittas writes:
“Tranquility, simplicity, humbleness, no bragging or arrogance, emerge from Stratis’s photographic world, thus conveying to us a message, which is crystal clear.”
We couldn’t agree more. Vogiatzis’ work is a profound reflection on memory, space, and the indelible connection between humans and the places they inhabit. His photographs are not just images; they are meditations, stories, and time capsules all at once.
Photo © Stratis Vogiatzis
In Vogiatzis’ own words:
“My wandering into the inner world of the Mastic Villages also meant wandering into my own inner world, a dive into the world of memories and history and at the same time a plunge into the depths of my own soul.”
With Mastihohoria, Stratis Vogiatzis invites us to explore not only the hidden beauty of Chios but also the intimate landscapes of our own memories.