Did everyone already see the spectacular series of photos taken by Norwegian photographer, Karolin Hjorth?
Working with the Finnish collaborator, Riitta Ikonen, the two created the Eyes as Big as Plates project. after being “inspired by the romantics’ belief that folklore is the clearest reflection of the soul of a people.”
Norwegian and Finnish elders from all walks of life posed as characters from folklore, and carry their outlandish headdresses with incredible poise and, well, soul. There’s little explanation of the particular stories behind each photo. I’m dying to know what each represents. But I’m also content to simply gaze and enjoy the peace and power from these images.
As midwinter approaches, the time for gathering with our families, for folklore, for storytelling, and for treasuring connections among generations and our past is definitely upon us. Maybe we should also dress up?
Love it!!!!!
interesting pictures, but i would want more of the story behind them.
so what are the stories behind the head gear… love the faces.
What is eldering? We’re all aging, and some of us may be elders in our society, but eldering? Or, does the term refer to caregivers for the elderly (as parenting refers to the role of parents raising children), or, to historians and scribes of the stories elders have to tell? If eldering refers to the process of aging, I think it’s too much like “moldering” to be a useful adjective/verb in a field that is still trying to overcome the ageism that marginalizes too many Americans.
My attitude toward my own aging has changed, but as far as the rest of my family, I do not think it reaches them at all. I am the oldest of my family now, but when we have multi-generational get-togethers, for the most part, they end up, me listening to them or me watching them communicate on their various phones, etc. I love them all dearly, but I know they do not realize how short the time is for them to gather the family history and stories, before it all dies with me. I am trying to do the ancestry heritage online, but my energy lags and I need help. Yes, I have asked, repeatedly, and I have tried to make myself clear on this issue, but, it mostly falls on busy, deaf ears. I worked hard to collect information on my ancestors, from as many as would talk with me and tell me their stories and they lived to ripe old ages. l have actual photos of ancestors back three and four generations from me, and I am 76. I think the future generations need to be reached with these programs in order for them to realize how important it really is to them. I am just one person trying to reach many. It is not really working very well. Our history goes back to the John Adams family; as well as many Civil War Veterans ( I have actual letters written during the Civil War by soldiers, to their families and the replies from family and friends). These letters have been handed down in my family, on my Mother’s side, for several generations. They are intact. So, along with ordinary family stories, there are historical ones, as well, if only these busy children and grandchildren could be made to realize their importance, before it is too late, and the one remaining link they have, me, is gone.
I have met Dr. Bill many times, while he was involved with the Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin, NY. I visited his residence several times, and his boy played with my grandson at that time. My Mother-in-law was a resident at that home, when the Garden of Eden Project was introduced and we welcomed it heartily. I attended a program in Norwich, NY, put on by Dr. Bill and purchased his book: “Learning From Hannah” at that time. Also, attended a gathering at the Colgate Inn in Hamilton when he gave another talk about his work. I heartily believe in this program and have tried over the years to interest my family, also, with very little success. I am afraid that since they all work for a living and are very busy, they have little interest in the past. Somehow they need to be reached and I will continue to try to my dying breath. But, it is those generations that need to be reached, not mine.