Zachary Trebellas. Pass/Watasu. Scanogram. 2015.

Zachary Trebellas. Pass/Watasu. Scanogram. 2015.

This is one piece of several pieces I’m working on that focus on the Japanese habits that have replaced my American ones. In Japan it’s expected that you’ll turn an item around so that it faces the other person before passing it to them with two hands. I’ve taken to rotating objects and passing them by hand in the States, though using two hands always seemed like a bit too much. —— This is part of the series I’m working on, Nippo Greco American, exploring my relationship with the three ethnic groups I in some way identify with.

Two more shots from the Silver Lake Dunes.

Zachary Trebellas. Hand/Hando Taoru. Scanogram. 2015.

This is one piece of several I’m working on that focus on the Japanese habits that have replaced my American ones. In Japan, it’s not uncommon to find restrooms without towels or dryers, the expectation being that you carry your own hand towel for such instances. The restrooms in the schools I taught in were like that. Back in America, I’ve found it infinitely useful to carry a towel on me, though I notice that sometimes others seemed surprised when I pull it out. “Is that a ShamWow?” one friend asked. —— This is part of the series I’m working on, Nippo Greco American, exploring my relationship with the three ethnic groups I in some way identify with.

Though I prefer the first photograph, I never felt quite right about the text placement, so I created a second version. This one reads stronger to me and is more similar visually to the version I made for Tokyo in the spring.

Zachary Trebellas. Ποιος θα μπορούσε να είμαι στη Θεσσαλονίκη; (Who could I be in Thessaloniki?). Text on 35mm photograph. 2015. In August I spent three weeks in Europe with my friend Shareen and my twin brother Miles. Ten of those days we spent traveling around Greece. As Greek-Americans, he and I were very curious to see the country we’d related to in various ways for our entire lives. As I expected, it was full of foreign and new experiences, but some familiar ones as well. I was happy to be able to see so much of the country and finally experience it first hand. At the same time, I knew ten days would be only a taste of Greek life. Like I did with Japan, I long to spend more time in Greece to get to know it as a place and culture, and to build my own Greek experiences and memories. I wonder when, down the road, I’ll be able to make that happen. Thessaloniki, Greece’s artistic capital and second city, is where I’d want to have that experience. I hope in the future I’m able to.

—— This piece is part of the series I’m working on, Nippo Greco American, exploring my relationship with the three ethnic groups I in some way identify with.

Zachary Trebellas. Sandwich/Sandoicchi. Mixed media scanogram. 2015.

This is the second piece of several I have planned focusing on the Japanese habits that have replaced my American ones. In this instance the custom of wrapping food or other objects in cloth has replaced wrapping lunch in plastic wrap.  —— This is part of the series I’m working on, Nippo Greco American, exploring my relationship with the three ethnic groups I in some way identify with.

This draft is part of the series I’m working on, Nippo Greco American, exploring my relationship with the three ethnic groups I in some way identify with.  The images come from a 1970's Greek cookbook we had in the house growing up.