Biographical Notes

The reason I choose for the first time to present my biographical details in the first person with more personal details is due to the hope that these details might indirectly clarify some of my views.

I was born on November 23, 1945. My father, Michael Rivellis, was from Corfu, where his Italian ancestor arrived in the 13th century from Cremona. My mother's family, Lisa Mamou, came to Greece with the Bavarians of King Otto. They were brewers and coachbuilders. Consequently, as one might easily understand, I am Catholic Christian from both sides. This fact never posed a problem for me, but it contributed to my feeling that I do not identify with the overwhelming majority. When others asked how it is possible as a Greek not to be Orthodox, I replied that perhaps it is even stranger that, although Greek, I have never set foot in a football stadium, or any stadium for that matter. When some wondered how I could be both Catholic and Christian, I did not respond at all.

Many foreign languages were spoken in our home. My mother had graduated from the convent school of Tinos and my father from a clerical school in Rome, where he studied up to the Higher School of Commerce. He worked in banks in France and England, was the deputy director of Fiat in Portugal, and a director in Spain, and then returned to Greece in 1935 knowing six languages and less than well Greek. He married my mother in 1940, and they had two children, first my sister Maria and then me. All his life he dealt with car imports although he had no particular interest in cars. For twelve years he even served as the president of the car importers association. Due to misfortunes and perhaps because he was more interested in reading and music than in commerce, the family's initially good financial situation gave way to very difficult times.

The period of my childhood and school years in my memory is extremely rosy. All positive and pleasant. I grew up protected, surrounded by understanding, love, and trust. The fact of the economic collapse was not traumatic for me. Even the fact that, already a teenager, I needed to do small jobs alongside my studies (selling encyclopedias door-to-door, teaching French to young children, working in a college in Paris) I experienced very positively. And the gift that I was able to support my parents in their old age I would not exchange for anything.

I attended the well-known "Makri" (or "I.M. Panagiotopoulos") elementary school in Kolonaki and was fortunate to have an amazing and unforgettable teacher, Odysseas Papacharalambides, the only teacher worth mentioning before Garry Winogrand. I attended high school at Varvakeio, which was housed in a miserable building in Exarchia. No positive memories from that period. The same bland feelings from the Law School of Athens. Complete boredom. The 1960s were particularly politicized, but as is probably evident, that was not something that excited me. Besides, I always refused to join any party although almost all of them asked me. The only pleasant memory from all my school and student years was publishing a school newspaper in elementary school with the incredible title "Student Trumpet" and later publishing a student magazine of general concern called "Issues". "Issues" was even greeted with a special article by Angelos Terzakis from the pages of Vima newspaper.

The two years in France offered me many knowledge and experiences, none of which were related to my studies in political science, which I fortunately abandoned early to return and do my military service under the junta (32 months of incredible boredom and stupidity) and subsequently try to earn my living as a lawyer, which I achieved, without having either the qualifications or the inclination.

However, my life took a more complete shape when I began to engage in photography. Then I managed to connect my childhood and my loved ones with my main occupation. When the words vacations and breaks ceased to have meaning for me. The definitive reconciliation with my living in Greece came many years later when Nana and I decided to make Syros our place with the logic that the Aegean and the Cyclades are something unique in the world and there we should base ourselves. I do not think it is an exaggeration to claim that the fact I managed to pass through a variety of traps relatively unscathed and quickly until I chose what suited me, is mainly due to the atmosphere of my childhood environment, the house with books and music, and the parents with their calmness, understanding, and acceptance. This explains why I often mention them.

The developments in my life from that point on mainly concern photography and are influenced by it. And they were tumultuous. For nearly forty years I have delivered (and continue to deliver) hundreds of seminars (on artistic photography, photo critique, presentation of photographers and directors, portfolio creation, cinema, etc.). I have delivered hundreds of lectures throughout Greece and Cyprus. I participated in many roundtables. I wrote and presented a series of programs for state television on photography. I curated hundreds of photo exhibitions (individual and group, in Greece and abroad). I curated and published more than a hundred books and albums on photography, as well as a photography magazine. I wrote eighteen books on photography and cinema. I wrote hundreds of articles for various newspapers and magazines and many editorials on a variety of topics. I collaborated with the Benaki Museum, the Megaron Music Hall, the Theoharakis Foundation, the European Cultural Center of Delphi, the Hellenic American Union, the National Gallery, the Higher School of Fine Arts, the Popular Education, the Moraitis School, the Athens College, Panteion University, the Cultural Foundation of Piraeus Group, the Ministry of Education of Cyprus, the House of Cyprus, the City of Athens, the French Institute, the New Forms Gallery (where I also exhibited my photos), and other organizations.

Recently, I wish to engage and collaborate only with the Photographic Circle, its members, and their friends.

I am interested in philosophy, religion, cinema, painting, literature, archaeology, music, and (obviously) photography. I am not interested in sports and politics.

And if anyone asked me what I would do if I were not a photographer and a photography teacher, I would answer: I would like to have the opportunity and the strength to help people. Specific people and in a simple way. Like the ladies who go out at night and feed the neighborhood cats. Because, as Tarkovsky said in "The Sacrifice," the world would change if someone watered a tree every day.

Plato Rivellis

Plato Rivellis has taught:

• From 1981 to 1985, the photography course (introductory and advanced) in English for La Verne University based in Kifisia.
• From 1981 to 1988, seven introductory seminars on artistic photography (four-month duration) at Studio Quark in Athens.
• From 1983 to 1987, the photography course at the Moraitis School's Gymnasium and Lyceum.
• From 1985 to 1995, in many cities of the country (Athens, Thessaloniki, Alexandroupolis, Grevena, Skopelos, Metsovo, Nafpaktos, Nafplio, Chania, Rethymno, Orestiada) twelve four-day seminars teaching trainers of standard departments of Popular Education, the program of which he had shaped.
• From 1985 to today, he has given more than thirty lectures on photography at Aspra Spitia (Pesinonte), at the Pyrna Association in Kifisia, at the photographic department of the National Bank, at the School of Fine Arts, at the Photographic Society of Nafpaktos, at the Cultural Center of Syros, at the National Gallery, at the Media Department of the Aristotle University, in Stemnitsa Arcadia, in Florina, in the hall of Greek Directors, at the Employees' Association of the National Bank, at the Fotovision exhibition in Athens, in Lamia, at the Photographic Group of Rhodes, at the Photographic Group of Ag. Nikolaos Crete, at the Aspects Club in Thessaloniki, at the ESP photography school in Athens, at Deree College in Ag. Paraskevi, at the Athens branch of the State University of New York, at the Athens TEI, at the University of the Aegean in Syros, at the Abetio School in Cairo, at the Philosophy School of the Kapodistrian University, at the School of Cinema of the Aristotle University, and elsewhere.
• In 1986, he organized a photography department at the "Intervention" therapeutic community.
• In 1986, he organized a photography department at the Training Center of the Children's Hospital (professor Mr. Tsiantis).
• From 1987 to 1993, the photography course (introductory and advanced) at the Athens College high school.
• In 1988, he delivered a series of lectures to teachers of Polykladika Lyceums on organizing and teaching the photography course.
• From 1988 to 1991, four (ten-day) advanced seminars in Athens at the "Photographic Circle".
• From 1988 to 1992, the course of artistic photography at the Focus photography school.
• From 1988 to 1993, six photography seminars in the adult education program of Athens College.
• From 1988 to 2002, twenty-eight introductory seminars on artistic photography (four-month duration) at the "Photographic Circle" in Athens.
• From 1990 to 2010, in various photographic groups in Greek cities, twelve four-day seminars on artistic photography (Rhodes, Ag. Nikolaos, Patras, Kalamata, University of Heraklion, University of Patras, Mill of Thessaloniki, Karditsa, Zografou, Nicosia Cyprus).
• In 1992, he delivered a photography seminar to architects as part of a community program.
• From 1992 to 1995, the photography course at the Media Department of Panteion University.
• From 1992 to 1998, seven (ten-day) advanced photography and critique seminars in Paros.
• From 1993 to 1996, eight introductory seminars on artistic photography (four-month duration) at the "Photographic Circle" branch in Thessaloniki.
• In 1994, the course of artistic photography at the Leica Academy photography school.
• In 1995, he delivered a photography seminar at the French Institute of Thessaloniki.
• In 1997, 2005, and 2006, he delivered a cinema seminar (screening and analysis of films) in Rhodes, Cyprus (three), and Ag. Nikolaos.
• In 1998, he delivered a photography seminar as part of the educational program of Christie’s.
• Since 1999, he delivers an advanced seminar (ten-day duration) in Syros every year.
• From 2002 to 2018, he delivered a series of seminars-tributes to great film directors (four-day duration) in Syros.
• In 2003, he participated as a speaker at the second conference on historical photography in Kythira.
• From 2003 to 2017, he delivered an introductory seminar to artistic photography (eight-month duration) at the "Benaki Museum" in Athens every year.
• In 2018 and 2019, he delivered two introductory seminars at the headquarters of the Photographic Circle.
• From 2005 to 2014, every Thursday night at the large amphitheater of the Benaki Museum, he presented the work of Greek photographers and famous film directors.
• From 2014 to 2019, every Thursday night at the theater of the Hellenic American Union in Athens, he presented the work of photographers-members of the Photographic Circle.
• In November and December of 2006, he delivered a twenty-hour photography seminar to postgraduate students of the School of Fine Arts.
• From 2006, every October at the amphitheater of the "Hellenic American Union" in Athens, he delivers a series of lectures (total duration of ten hours) on how photography and cinema approach various fundamental issues. From 2020 to 2023, these lectures were conducted online.
• From 2006 to 2019, every September in Syros, he delivered a seminar (three-day duration) on portfolio critique.
• In 2012, he delivered seven twenty-hour photography seminars at the seven thematic Museums of the Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Bank Group (Soufli, Dimitsana, Lesbos, Volos, Stymfalia, Sparta, and Tinos).
• In 2013, 2014, and 2015, he delivered seven twelve-hour photography seminars at the seven thematic Museums of the Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Bank Group (Soufli, Dimitsana, Lesbos, Volos, Stymfalia, Sparta, and Tinos).
• In 2016, he delivered four twelve-hour photography seminars on behalf of the Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Bank Group in Soufli, Dimitsana, Sparta, and Athens.
• In 2017, he delivered a twelve-hour seminar at the museums of the Piraeus Foundation in Ioannina and Chios.
• In 2013, he delivered three eighteen-hour photography seminars in Chania, Corfu, and Thessaloniki.
• From 2012 to 2018, he delivered at the Benaki Museum a seminar lasting twenty-seven hours on "Photographic Critique".
• From 2012 to 2018, he delivered a series of seminars at the Benaki Museum lasting twenty-seven hours on "Cinematic Analyses".
• In 2018 and 2019, at the workshop of Panagiotis Markolefas, he delivered a seminar lasting twenty-seven hours on "Cinematic Analyses".
• In 2015 and 2016, he delivered seventeen four-hour lectures (each year) at the House of Penelope Delta in Kifisia (Historical Archive of the Benaki Museum) on topics related to photography and cinema.
• In 2016, he delivered a twelve-hour seminar on "Traces and Ruins" at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi.
• From 2016 delivers annual seventeen lectures at the Penelope Delta House in Kifisia (Benaki Museum Historical Archive).
• In 2017, he delivered a four-day seminar at the European Centre of Delphi on "Sanctity in Photography and Cinema".
• In 2018, he delivered a twelve-hour seminar on "Man and His Image" at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi.
• In 2019, he delivered a twelve-hour seminar on "Delphi beyond the Ancient" at the European Cultural Centre of Delphi.
• In 2019, he delivered a twelve-hour seminar in Syros on "The Smile".
• From 2020, he delivers online every year (until today) the following seminars: 1) A twenty-session (three hours each) seminar titled "Artistic Critique Seminar". 2) A seventeen-session (three hours each) seminar titled "Artistic Signature Seminar". 3) A five-session (three hours each) seminar titled "Photography Techniques Seminar". 4) A four-session (three hours each) seminar titled "Introduction to Artistic Photography". 5) A thirty-six-session (three hours each) seminar titled "Great Directors and Their Work".

Plato Rivellis has organized and curated the following photographic exhibitions from 1984 to today:

• From 1984 to 1988, about thirty solo exhibitions at the "Photochoros" gallery.
• From 1990 to 2003, more than a hundred solo exhibitions at the "Photochoros" gallery (in Athens).
• From 1993 to 1996, about twenty exhibitions at the "Photochoros" gallery (in Thessaloniki).
• In 1989, a group exhibition at the National Gallery on behalf of the Greek Girl Guides Association (the photographers had photographed under his guidance).
• In 1989, selection and curation of photographs for a series of exhibitions in Canada.
• In 1989 (first) and 1991 (second), a group exhibition "Cycle" at the Booze gallery as part of the International Month of Photography in Athens.
• In 1990, a group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" at the Transit gallery in Strasbourg during the Greek month.
• In 1990, a group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" in Paris featuring portraits of Greek writers as part of the organization "Les belles etrangères" by the French Ministry of Culture.
• In 1990 (first), 1992 (second), and 1994 (third), a large group exhibition "Cycle" (600 photographs) at the Athens Arts Center of the Municipality of Athens.
• In 1992, a group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" at the University of Patras.
• In 1993 (first) and 1994 (second), a large group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" (600 photographs) at the "Mill" in Thessaloniki.
• In 1993, one group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" in Kalamata, Nafpaktos, Chania.
• In 1994, a group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" in Karditsa.
• In 1994, five solo exhibitions of members of the "Photographic Circle" and a public competition at the "Danaos" cinema.
• In 1994, three solo exhibitions of members of the "Photographic Circle" at the French Institute of Thessaloniki.
• In 1994, a group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" in Stemnitsa Arcadia.
• From 1997 to 2003, eight solo and five group exhibitions of members of the "Photographic Circle" at the Therapeutic Community "Diavasi".
• In 1998, a group exhibition of Cypriot and Greek photographers in Nicosia ("Amochostos Gate") and Athens ("House of Cyprus").
• In 1998, a group exhibition of Cypriot and Greek photographers at the "Amochostos Gate" (Nicosia).
• In 1998, a large group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" (600 photographs) at the "House of Cyprus" for the ten-year anniversary of the "Photographic Circle".
• In 1999, eight solo exhibitions as part of the 6th International Month of Photography in Athens.
• In 1999 and 2002, two group exhibitions of members of the "Photographic Circle" at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Ermoupolis, Syros.
• In 2001, a large group exhibition of members of the "Photographic Circle" at the Benaki Museum ("Athens 2001: Photographic views and perspectives").
• In 2002, a large group exhibition of members of the "Photographic Circle" in Italy (Spello Perugia).
• In 2005, a large international photography exhibition on "Photography and Fashion" at the Athens Concert Hall as part of the "Megaron Plus" program.
• In 2006, a group exhibition of the "Photographic Circle" titled "Faces" at the Eleftherios Venizelos airport.
• In 2006, a photo exhibition "Panos Iliopoulos: The adventure of life and the poetry of photography" at the Benaki Museum.
• In 2007, a photo exhibition of Bruce Davidson at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2008, an exhibition of photographs by members of the "Photographic Circle" at the Benaki Museum, for the twenty-year anniversary of its founding.
• In 2009, a photo exhibition of Leon Levinstein at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2009, an exhibition of sketches by Federico Fellini, at the Theoharakis Foundation.
• In 2011, a photo exhibition of two members of the "Photographic Circle" (E. Angelaki, V. Tambakos) titled "Photographic Pairs" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2011, a photo exhibition of four members of the "Photographic Circle" (V. Gerontakos, A. Michas, V. Ragouzaridis, A. Schoinas) titled "Photographic Horizons", at the Benaki Museum.
• In 2012, a photo exhibition of two members of the "Photographic Circle" (Ch, Sorovou, L. Vasilikos) titled "Photographic Pairs" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2013, a group photo exhibition at the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens titled "Workers". Participating photographers were D. Karpouzis, A. Schoinas, N. Markou, A. Vrettakos, P. Dellis.
• In 2013, a photo exhibition of two members of the "Photographic Circle" (E. Chaliori, D. Pilati) titled "Photographic Pairs" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2013, seven exhibitions of photographic groups (Zakynthos, Patras, Volos, Larissa, Lesbos, Syros, Naxos, Komotini, Xanthi, Kavala, Sparta) at the thematic museums of the Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Bank Group.
• In 2014, a photo exhibition of two members of the "Photographic Circle" (N. Gouzouasis, T. Papadatou) titled "Photographic Pairs" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2014, a group exhibition of workers at the construction site in the Faliro Delta (Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center).
• In 2014, a group photo exhibition of members of the "Photographic Circle" titled "Seas" at the Box gallery in Athens.
• In 2015, a photo exhibition of two members of the "Photographic Circle" (N. Karamagioli, Ch. Kopsacheilis) titled "Photographic Pairs" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2015, a group photo exhibition of members of the "Photographic Circle" titled "Family" at the Benaki Museum (central building) in Athens.
• In 2015, a photo exhibition of members of the "Photographic Circle" on "Black and White-Color, the two faces of a photograph" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2016, a photo exhibition of two members of the "Photographic Circle" (P. Markolefas, A. Mara) titled "Photographic Pairs" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2016, a photo exhibition of members of the "Photographic Circle" on "The Nude" at the Box Gallery in Athens.
• In 2016, a photo exhibition of members of the "Photographic Circle" on "Mini Portfolios" at the Hellenic American Union (Athens).
• In 2016, a photo exhibition of participants in the seminar at the European Cultural Center of Delphi on "Traces and Ruins" at the Conference Center, in Delphi.
• In 2017, a photo exhibition of participants in the seminar at the European Cultural Center of Delphi on "Sanctity" at the Conference Center, in Delphi (and at the Box gallery in Athens).
• In 2017, a photo exhibition with the participation of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot photographers on "Stone and Sea" in Paphos, Cyprus, as part of the organization "Paphos, European Capital of Culture".
• In 2018, a photo exhibition of participants in the seminar at the European Cultural Center of Delphi on "Man and His Image" at the Conference Center, in Delphi (and at the House of Cyprus in Athens).
• In 2018, a solo photo exhibition of Nana Karamagioli in Athens (gallery Booze).
• In 2019, a photo exhibition of participants in the seminar at the European Cultural Center of Delphi on "Delphi beyond the Ancient" at the Conference Center, in Delphi (and at the House of Cyprus in Athens).
• In 2019, a photo exhibition of participants in the seminar of the Municipality of Athens at Technopolis on "Athenians photograph their city".
• In 2019, a solo photo exhibition of Nana Karamagioli in Athens (gallery iFocus).
• In 2020, a group exhibition titled "The Smile" in Athens (gallery iFocus).

Plato Rivellis has curated the following books and magazines from 1985 to the present:

• Sixteen of his own theoretical books and photographic albums. (See Writing and Journalism Activities)
• Fifteen albums of the first series of "Photohoros".
• Thirty-seven albums of the Small Series of "Photohoros".
• An album on behalf of the Cultural Services of Cyprus.
• Six issues of the photographic newspaper "Photographic Circle".
• Two supplements of the "Photographic Circle" in the magazine "Photographer".
• Thirteen issues of the magazine "Photohoros".
• Four catalogs of group exhibitions of the "Photographic Circle".
• Catalog-album of the group exhibition on Athens ("Athens 2001: Photographic sights and viewpoints") in collaboration with the Benaki Museum.
• Catalog-album of the exhibition "Photography and Fashion" (Athens Concert Hall)
• Catalog-album of the photographic exhibition "Panos Iliopoulos: The adventure of life and the poetry of photography" (Benaki Museum).
• Catalog of the exhibition of photographs by Bruce Davidson (Hellenic American Union).
• Catalog of the exhibition of photographs by Leon Levinstein (Hellenic American Union).
• Photo album by Andreas Schoinas.
• Photo album by Vasilis Gerontakos.
• Group album with 1,100 photographs of members of the Photographic Circle titled "Photographic Circle 1988-2014".
• Thirty albums of the New Small Series of "Photohoros".
• Album by Mary Christofides "Chords".

Plato Rivellis has written the following books and developed the following journalistic activity:

• "Photography". A technical manual.
• "Monologue on Photography". A theoretical book with P.R.'s personal views on artistic photography.
• "Thoughts on Photography". A personal reading of its history. A theoretical book that includes commentary on about one hundred photographs.
• "Dance Photographs". A small album of dance photos by P.R.
• "Ruins". A small album of photos of ruins by P.R.
• "Light and Silence". A small album of landscape and monument photos by P.R.
• "Semicolon". A large retrospective album of P.R.'s photos.
• "Texts on Photography". A collection of theoretical texts by P.R. on photography.
• "Introduction to Artistic Photography". A written version of a twenty-hour oral course by P.R. with reference to about two hundred photographs.
• "The visible charm and hidden emotion of cinema". Analysis of the work of twelve major directors.
• "50 Photographs 50 Texts". A collection of photographs and articles by P.R.
• "Without Intermission - Thirteen directors and their work". Analysis of the work of thirteen major directors.
• "Photographs and Thoughts". A collection of photographs and articles by P.R.
• "Photography in the Digital Age". A technical manual.
• "Plato Rivellis". An autobiographical book with thoughts, comments, and photographs.
• "The Catholic chapels of Syros up to the early 19th century".
• "New Monologue on Photography" A theoretical book with P.R.'s personal views on artistic photography.
• Participated with his photos and/or by writing the preface in the group albums "Photographic Circle" (published by the Hellenic Centre for Photography), "Photographic Circle" (published by Gnosis), "Ten Years Circle" (published by Photohoros) "Cyprus, six photographic routes" (published by Photohoros and the Directorate of Cultural Services of Cyprus) and "Athens 2001: Photographic sights and viewpoints" (published by Photohoros in collaboration with the Benaki Museum).
• Collaborated with the newspaper "Ta Nea" from 1992 as a columnist and from 1999 as a critic of photographic books. Articles of his have also been hosted in the newspapers "To Vima", "Eleftherotypia", etc.
• Worked as a director and writer with the photographic magazine "Photohoros", which was published from 1992 until 1999.
• Also collaborated for writing specific articles with the magazine Minima, with the photographic magazines "Photographer" (insert of the newspaper "Kathimerini") and "Idol" and with the children's magazine "Aerostato".
• Wrote, curated, and presented a two-hour program on behalf of the Educational Television titled "About photography".
• Wrote, curated, and presented thirteen half-hour episodes for ET2 (NET) titled "The Art of Photography".
• Wrote, curated, and presented along with journalist and critic Katerina Zacharopoulou seven one-hour episodes on ET1 (2005-2006) on photography.
• Curated and presented twenty two-hour episodes on various topics with an emphasis on classical music for the Municipal Radio Station of Ermoupolis Syros ("Kosmos 90").
• Has participated in round tables on photography, such as at the Greek Photographic Society, the Photographic Center of Thessaloniki, the National Bank Employees' Association, the Sivitanidios School, the Fotovision exhibition, the French Institute of Athens within the framework of the large exhibition "Prisoners of Light", and at the Goulandris Museum of Andros within the framework of the large exhibition "Routes in the Gaze", at the "History and Photography" conference in Syros in 2002, at the Hellenic American Union, at the Megaron Plus program of the Athens Concert Hall and elsewhere.

Plato Rivellis has participated in all the group exhibitions of the members of the "Photographic Circle" in Greece and abroad and has presented his work in many solo exhibitions in "Photohoros" in Athens and Thessaloniki, in the gallery "New Forms" in Athens (2007), in many cities of Greece (Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, Patras, Corinth, Syros, Lamia, Argos, Soufli, Tinos, Dimitsana, Stymphalia, Volos, Mytilene, Sparta, Kozani, Mykonos) and in Cyprus.