“The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.” – Lao Tzu
Altered states of consciousness have been a fascination of mine since my introduction to meditation techniques in the late ’90s. Through practice and study, the culmination of this journey can best be described by the integral theory of philosopher Ken Wilber.
Based on his work, I co-authored the paper Integral Lens with Professor Mark DeKay, exploring a multi-perspectival approach to architectural photography. Topographic, editorial, and expressive typologies have been practiced concurrently since my initial steps in this genre.
The stream-of-consciousness method in the creative process is combined with a variety of post-processing techniques to produce these series. The source material—the starting point—is selected from both personal projects and commissioned assignments, meta-appropriated to become imaginary realities. Thoughts, feelings, and reactions flow uninterrupted by objective descriptions or conventions, forming altered landscapes.
On a transpersonal level, this expressive body of work serves as a homage to the pioneers of consciousness studies—those who transcended the mechanistic worldview, expanding our understanding of altered states towards a more holistic perspective.
“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” – Albert Einstein
About Pygmalion Karatzas
Pygmalion Karatzas was born in Greece in 1973, studied architecture in Budapest, urban design in Edinburgh, and was a practicing architect for twelve year before switching to architectural and fine art photography in 2013. With a portfolio of 280+ projects from Europe, USA and Middle East, his images are regularly featured in media, and have received over 140 distinctions from leading international competitions. Notable works include the Fulbright Artist Scholarship ‘Integral Lens’ in United States, ‘Doha Icons’ in Qatar, ‘EXPO 2015’ in Milan, the ‘Typhoon Project’ for the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, ‘Unearthed’ for Elliniko Metro, the OCEANUS scientific expeditions in Lebanon and Greece, selected works for the I.M. Pei Foundation, ’Shapes & Balance’ for LAMDA Development. He served as photo editor for the Danish Architecture Center between 2014-19 and has an on-going collaboration with professor of architecture Mark DeKay from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville developing and conducting academic workshops and lectures on a multi-perspectival approach to architectural photography. Through his commissioned assignments and self-initiated projects, he exhibits his passion and dedication to the study, representation and dissemination of the built environment and its broader role as a cultural asset. [Official Website]
