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Interview with Giannis Asmanis

featured by christos_larissaios


translate in english by Kathrine


Giannis Asmanis: "My dream is to sow art all over the world"





This is Christos Larissaios and this week on our special meeting here at planetwebradio.gr we will get to know an up-and-coming and very talented street photographer.He is an art lover as he calls himself, who dreams of spread art all over th the world His name is Giannis Asmanis and he comes from our beautiful city, Thessaloniki.At that moment he lives and works in Edinburgh.

He possesses extended body of work and each one of his pictures tells a story.He has taken pictures in almost every street both in Thessaloniki and Edinburgh providing the spectator with elements of the everyday life and the unique identity of both cities.I "met" him 4 years ago but because of the distance we only kept a virtual contact.

Nevertheless , it was ufficient to hello me understand him by analyzing every shot qnd every picture.

Through our countless conversations we discovered our mutual love for the art of photography and our strong belief that art unites the world, inspires people, answers their questions and cultivates their spirit.


It was during one of those conversations that he confided in me that his biggest dream is to create communities of photographers in as many places around the world is possible.He firmly believes that close and live contact between photographers can be really helpful for each and every one willing to evolve and expand his knowledge and inspiration.I found his dream both interesting and bold and i decided to help him any way i can.

It all started with a photography meet up that took place last March in Thessaloniki and a few days later in Athens.Both events were really successful and a real once in a lifetime experience for all the parties involved.Those events were received with enthusiasm by the general public who found a great opportunity to learn and by the photographers themselves who satisfied their need to spread art.

Gianni's motto is "sow art you wiil reap".so our beautiful interaction begins.I would like to take rhe opportunity to say that during the Athen's meet-up (where i was one of the organizers).


I would like to talk a little bit about yourself, your personality and especially how and when your photography adventure began.

Giannis is the type of person that "always has an idea.I don't know how to expain it better.I always have ideas that i try to make reality.I believe that before we die we should leave our print I m a passionate person,my passion is life and creation .I love politeness and i wholeheartedly defend team work.

My photography journey began when while unemployed I used to stroll around the city taking pictures.No sooner i enrolled in photography lessons that my cell phone was replaced by a camera which later become an extension of my hand.







You are right you know.It's true that each and every picture acquires and unique values with the passing of time.


Now you call yourself a lover of art and more specifically a lover of street photography what was the incentive that led you to follow street photography?


Street photography is not just a style of photography to follow,is a whole way of life.It's only took me 6 months to find my photography Identity and all beacause i feel deeply everything around me,the sounds, the colours all rhe movements that catch my attention.For me the most inspiring and emotional element is the expression on a person's face i see while rooming the streets.I try really hard so as my shots are a complete combination a rule of three and to have line on my shots since photography derives from painting.


The best part of every day life are the events that take place in rhe streets of the city it is a depiction of both its identity and its rythm.


Which are your carrier goals?Do you have one specific photographic goal you could like to achieve or even more than one?


I m not just a photographer but an artist and i don't have just one goal.My main goal is to create art by any photographic mean i can(i have an idea)

I don't know if i ever became a professional photographer, I'm open to the prospect.

I have already coloborated with individuals and businesses in order to create porters or promote products.But my main interest one that preceded photography,is to unite people.Since my passion is photography my biggest dream is to create photographic communities aroun thw world.I know it's a wild dream but not an unattainable one.

A big project of nine is to be able to use art for charity.This year i have created a website called "buy me a coffee"where anyone around the world can "buy me a coffee"and help me raise money that i will use to buy necessities for people in need.It's something I have done in the past with the diaries i have printed Very time i ll raise100£i will by necessities.

That's my goal for the time being.Maybe tomorrow I'll find something new.




Humanity and charity are truly important qualities, they are the essence of love and life I congratulate you and i hope you'll find many supportes.


We are recently witnessed a dream to come true the photography meet up.Tell me about this dream:



For the last few years I have organised a lot of events that bring people together.I enjoy bringing people together in order to have fun,learn,interact.From the first moment,3 years ago today i started with photography i realized that it's not enough to take pictures.I needed to interact with people,to share experiences and knowledge.I have worked really hard to make this dream come true,a lot of IG lives YouTube videos and i have created two teams, one in Thessaloniki and one in Athens.The main goal of any meet up is to create art.Art is social evolution! What happened in Athens was beyond my wildest dream.I got the chance to meet with people i had only a virtual contact.The main goal of this particular meet up was to give the chance to photographs to work with models,to familiarise with portraits and learn how to approach a stronger on the street and take their picture with or without their consent.Their is a video on my YouTube channel where you can see all that.My personal gain was that the contact with all these artists made me a better person.Live is about give and take.



Face to face interaction is a most valuable thing.

It hasn't happened for us yet my friend.but i hope the time will soon come.


In closing, I would like Giannis to tell to the people who love photography and may want to start this journey, what does he need to have as a supply?


To wear his best smile, to take his best mood with him, to have kindness as a weapon and to go out on the streets to photograph what catches his attention until he finds his photographic identity, something that as soon as he finds it there he will create his art. To challenge himself / herself to do something more. To be with other photographers to exchange knowledge and experiences, to have good competition. Knowledge must be shared for free! I will close with something that the last two years makes me and I win the world TO BE KIND!


The path is difficult but it has many strong emotions!





Sorry Christos but I must not forget to say one last thing. Thank you is too little to express everything I want to say to all those who support me, trust me and follow me for my imagination and my passion!


Support all the street artists, they are the pulse of a city and the oxygen of our lives!




You said it all, Giannis, it really is and I will add that art teaches, concerns, creates and educates. It's a way of life for me. Thank you very much for the beautiful conversation we had and the fact that all these years we have learned the art of photography from each other and we continue like this.


Somewhere here our article came to an end. Those who want you can find Giannis on social media and participate in the next respective projects. Do not forget that art unites!


Stay tuned to planetwebradio.gr


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