Urban Lives supports “A Flowing Chaos” (between graffiti and disorder), a photography exhibition by Kiyose, Italian graffiti writer based in Athens who has been documenting the local graffiti, underground culture and street life since 2017
“A flowing chaos” is the first photography exhibition in Athens by Kiyose, an Italian writer based in Athens since 2017, who has been taking part and documenting graffiti actions but also the most chaotic, unexpected, alternative and vital side of the city. The opening party, on 23rd May at Entropia Records, will also include the presentation of “The cat did it vol. 2”, a self-published photo zine which is a tribute to the local graffiti scene and to all the beautiful cats of Athens
A Flowing Chaos: graffiti and disorder in Athens
Kiyose is a Japanese word, composed of the words “clarity” and “current, stream of water”; in its poetic essence, Kiyose could mean: “clarity within the water flow”. Amid the chaos, Kiyose could be considered the moment of inner stillness and truth, the feeling that, despite the noise and disorder around, brings to an inner truth, so that something inside becomes clear, honest, grounded, and quietly alive. This is exactly what the Italian writer Kiyose experienced when she decided to move to Athens in 2017. Dragged into the current of its vital chaos and underground and graffiti scene, she felt a strong sense of familiarity and belonging; she felt like home.
Chaos has inspired her, shaped her, given her the courage to live to the fullest and to take risks; and, like a river in flood, it has been carrying her to many unexpected and wonderfully surprising places and directions. In 2017 she started a long and passionate path of experiences, exploration and documentation, taking photos of many unexpected, crazy, unusual situations and details she has been coming across.
“A flowing chaos” is a showcase of Kiyose’s photography works, including photos of graffiti actions, cats and graffiti and also some everyday shots of the chaotic city. Like in a flowing river, she wants to share with people her story and her unique perspective and transport them in an alternative view of the city, not the postcard version but the “real one”, hoping that this chaos could be emotionally inspiring.
When and where is the exhibition
The photography exhibition will take place at Entropia Records (Ithakis 68, Attiki Metro station, Athens), from 23rd May to 6th June 2025; the opening party is on 23rd May at 18.30 and will include also a live, a dj set and the presentation of the photo zine “The cat did it vol. 2”, the second issue of a self published zine on cats and graffiti in Athens.
For further information:
Entropia Records: https://www.instagram.com/entropia_records/
Kiyose: https://www.instagram.com/kiyo_ath_rm/
*Kiyose is a graffiti writer who has been also a graffiti blogger from 2014 until 2020. Since 2017 she had been working on many photography projects and she self published 2 issues of the photo zine “The Cat did it” (2022 and 2024), a tribute to the graffiti scene and to all the beautiful cats of Athens. She had her first solo photography exhibition, “An Underground Odyssey”, at the Up Gallery in June 2022 in Rome (IT), and another small exhibition in December 2024 at Frida Mood café (Rome) along with the presentation of the photo zine “The cat did it vol. 2”.
Please note: Urban Lives, as an independent editorial project, blog and shop online, wants to support more and more projects like this one
