Whisper of the Sea

About seashells

During my visits to traditional Aegean houses, I often notice seashells as part of the decoration. I remember Flora’s house or Margarita’s grocery, in the village of Marpissa in Paros: sea snails and scallops, found in nearby beaches, demonstrate the connection between island people and the sea. People here appreciate their shapes, geometry and iridescent colors. Even their poetic names, such as Aphrodite’s ear or paper nautilus… Fishermen used seashells as natural trumpets and girls made necklaces with them. Children like to hold large conches up to their ear so that they’ll hear the whisper of the sea: the white noise, as my friend Eva calls it.

An old key and a seashell are connected with a piece of string. What I love about this picture is that it seems timeless. It embraces the core of the Aegean essence: natural purity and human creativity.

words by maria alipranti

photography by christos drazos