If you’re a history and photography buff, the retrospective “Hail Stranger In Dreamland” exhibition at The Acropolis Museum brings legendary photographer Robert McCabe’s deep connection to Greece into focus.
Showcasing approximately 100 photographs from his ‘Greek period’, McCabe’s insightful works highlight the authenticity, culture, history, beauty and people of everyday life in post-war Greece.
However, you’ll have to hurry as the exhibition is scheduled to close on September 9, 2024. Considering the rave reviews, it is worth the rush.
Interestingly, McCabe was raised in New York in the ‘40s and ‘50s as the son of a newspaper man and took an early interest in photography. In fact, he started snapping pictures at just five years old with the Kodak Baby Brownie camera his father had gifted to him.
His passion for photography turned professional as he clicked his way through France, Italy, and Greece in 1954. Enthralled with Greece, McCabe returned to photograph the Cyclades for National Geographic in 1955 and 1957, and countless times after that.
A recognized talent, McCabe gave Ambassador George Melas a photographic tour of Greece on television. And in 1967, select photographs were exhibited in New York City at what is now the Olympic Tower under the guidance of Spyros Skouras, a Greek-American motion picture pioneer and president of 20th Century-Fox in the 60’s.
Stratos Efthymiou, a young diplomat, even granted McCabe honorary Greek citizenship for his service to the country. From there, McCabe went on to exhibit his work in London, Paris, Brussels, and throughout Greece in Athens, Patmos, Santorini, Thessaloniki, Monodendri, Corfu and Poros.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so naturally McCabe has published several books full of thought provoking images that share a unique look into Greek culture at specific periods in time. Coincidently, these photographs speak volumes about the grit, determination and humanity of the Greek people as well.
Clearly recognized as a true friend of Greece, The Ministry of Tourism, The Hellenic Tourism Organization, and The Acropolis Museum originally presented this special exhibition in May and last call is Monday, September 9, 2024.
It is a rare opportunity to closely witness another person’s experience as their understanding of Greece, its history and its people evolves and unfolds into not only inspired artistic works, but a lasting relationship of acceptance and admiration. Enjoy this extraordinary body of work in the Periodicals Hall on the ground floor of The Acropolis Museum.
