This article is part of our VICE Weekends summer series, presented by WeisAfter a stint of work in London, Melbourne-based photographer Jo Duck took off to Greece with her Mum in tow. The two spent a few hot summer days travelling down the country's picturesque coastline, soaking up compliments from strangers and making happy memories. Along their way to some of the country's more iconic destinations, Jo captured a slew of pastel-tinted abandoned buildings. It's a stunning collection of amazingly colourful scenes and a hat tip to the kinds of grand architecture that's not necessarily on postcards.
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VICE: Where exactly did you travel to and and how long did you spend there?
Jo Duck: I went to a few islands in Greece with my Mum. Greece was only for a few days on a journey, which also took us to France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Turkey. Duck's gone wild!Was this your first time travelling to Greece?
Yes. I'd been working a bit in London so asked Mum to come meet me and we had the best adventure. Mum's rule.You've captured so many great curves and colours. Did you know what you were going to be in for architecturally?
I was expecting the picturesque views, and knew the sea and flowers would be pretty. But other than the typical postcard pictures, I didn't really know what to expect. The photos I took are of the grand, overlooked, and mostly empty buildings you pass while on the way to see the fancy bits.It's notable that there are no people in these photos. What was the vibe like on this picturesque coastline? Who are the people that live in these dreamy pastel-coloured houses?
It was a hot hot summer so I assume most people were in Hotel Hella's swimming pool. Other than that, I imagine the houses to be inhabited by tanned happy Greek people who sell ice cream to tourists and sleep in and eat a lot of seafood and live happy lives in linen. But in reality, I think they were all abandoned.What do you hope people feel when they see Greece through your eyes?
Greece-y! Actually, I couldn't really ask people to feel any certain way. Personally, they are associated with really happy memories but when I put them together as a series, they seem quite lonely.
Jo Duck: I went to a few islands in Greece with my Mum. Greece was only for a few days on a journey, which also took us to France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Turkey. Duck's gone wild!Was this your first time travelling to Greece?
Yes. I'd been working a bit in London so asked Mum to come meet me and we had the best adventure. Mum's rule.You've captured so many great curves and colours. Did you know what you were going to be in for architecturally?
I was expecting the picturesque views, and knew the sea and flowers would be pretty. But other than the typical postcard pictures, I didn't really know what to expect. The photos I took are of the grand, overlooked, and mostly empty buildings you pass while on the way to see the fancy bits.It's notable that there are no people in these photos. What was the vibe like on this picturesque coastline? Who are the people that live in these dreamy pastel-coloured houses?
It was a hot hot summer so I assume most people were in Hotel Hella's swimming pool. Other than that, I imagine the houses to be inhabited by tanned happy Greek people who sell ice cream to tourists and sleep in and eat a lot of seafood and live happy lives in linen. But in reality, I think they were all abandoned.What do you hope people feel when they see Greece through your eyes?
Greece-y! Actually, I couldn't really ask people to feel any certain way. Personally, they are associated with really happy memories but when I put them together as a series, they seem quite lonely.
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What's the best memory from your trip?
Hanging out with my Mum was the best. Mrs Duck is a hilarious and brilliant woman. She'd always wanted to visit the Greek Isles and she was really happy. I also look pretty dang Greek so I got a lot of compliments on that trip. My ego was well fed.You can follow Jo Duck on InstagramThis article is presented by Weis
Hanging out with my Mum was the best. Mrs Duck is a hilarious and brilliant woman. She'd always wanted to visit the Greek Isles and she was really happy. I also look pretty dang Greek so I got a lot of compliments on that trip. My ego was well fed.You can follow Jo Duck on InstagramThis article is presented by Weis
