The Mount Athos Foundation of America (MAFA) is pleased to announce its second exhibition done in collaboration with the Mount Athos Center of Thessaloniki (Αγιορειτική Εστία)
Mount Athos & Meteora 1929: Princeton’s Hidden Treasure
Following on the success of its first exhibition – Mount Athos: The Ark of Orthodoxy – The Mount Athos Foundation of America (MAFA) is pleased to announce its second exhibition done in collaboration with the Mount Athos Center of Thessaloniki (Αγιορειτική Εστία)! In further collaboration with the Department of Art and Archaeology of Princeton University, this exhibition of historic photographs and films from an expedition undertaken by three traveler-artists from Princeton to Mount Athos and Meteora in 1929.
The exhibition will be on display September 27, 2024 through January 2026 at the Maliotis Cultural Center 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, Massachusetts.
An exhibition of historic photographs
A few words about the photographic archive and the exhibition: Towards the end of 2017, during a move of the old libraries of Princeton University’s Department of Art and Archaeology, the staff discovered a hidden barrel containing photographic material relating to an unknown and long-forgotten journey. Research carried out by members of the departmental staff revealed nine canisters of film that had been placed inside the barrel containing the record of a journey 2 undertaken by a group of travellers to Mount Athos and the Meteora. Further research succeeded in establishing a connection between the film material and 254 photographic prints and 81 glass lantern slides (16 of which were handcoloured) that already existed, though unidentified, in the Visual Resources Collection of Princeton University.
The journey to Greece took place in the autumn of 1929 and the group of travellers comprised the Russian emigré, painter, explorer and gifted communicator Vladimir “Vovo” Perfilieff, the photographer, talented cinematographer and later Oscar prize-winner Floyd Crosby, and the architect and Princeton University graduate Gordon McCormick. The three travellers were accompanied by the young Anastasios Chatzimitsos, an interpreter from Thessaloniki. The expedition’s main destination was Mount Athos, where the aim was to photograph and film a place which was then regarded as being mysterious, unique and unaltered by the passage of time.
The members of the expedition were struck by the superb natural scenery, the architecture of the monasteries, the daily life of the monks, their encounter with the cave-dwelling hermit Elias and the remarkable conditions in which he lived. The photographs in the collection bring to light rare material and the information they provide in the fields of history, social studies, folklore and architecture is extremely important as it extends the range of originalsources and adds invaluable new data to the historical research on two leading monastic centres of the Orthodox world: Mount Athos and the Meteora.
Research & Curation of the exhibition: Anastasios Ntouros, Director of Mount Athos Center More information www.mountathosfoundation.org/exhibition/ www.agioritikiestia.gr
Exhibit Highlights
Rare Photographic Collection
View an exclusive series of photographs from 1929, capturing the serene beauty and architectural grandeur of Mount Athos and Meteora.
Historical Film
Discover a short film archive that provides insight into the monastic life and spiritual practices of these revered sites.
Cultural Significance
Understand the profound cultural and religious importance of Mount Athos and Meteora through expertly curated displays.
Interactive Displays
Engage with interactive exhibits that bring the history and stories of these sacred places to life.
Mount Athos & Meteora Exhibit
Photo captions from above.
Esphigmenou Monastery. The expedition members photographed outside the monastery entrance with their laden mules. From left to right: Vladimir Perfilieff, Gordon McCormick, muleteer, Floyd Crosby, Anastasios Chatzimitsos.
Original material: coloured glass lantern slide
Dionysiou Monastery. Vladimir Perfilieff with a party of laymen and monks rowing to the monastery, which looms impressively in the distance.
Original material: silver print on Velox paper
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