Mady Lykeridou-Dialogue With Aphrodite

A participatory photographic project by Mady Lykeridou

This photobook captures the contemporary presence of the Aphrodite of Milos on the very island where she was discovered. Photographer Mady Lykeridou seeks outand photographs replicas of the famous statue as she encounters them in courtyards, shops, public spaces and other unexpected corners of the island.Aphrodites cast in different forms and materials, quiet figures where ancient beauty meets everyday life.
This photographic documentation transforms into a living artwork through the participation of 132 permanent residents of Milos. Responding to the photographer’s invitation, they leave their mark on her black-and-white images, creating a dialogue with words, drawings and collages, expressing their personal, emotional or even political connection to Aphrodite. A relationship that is deep, layered and often unexpected.

The project was realized in 2020, marking 200 years since the statue’s discovery onthe island.