A week ago I won a paperback in Ebay, called The Niagara Story – Pictorial Guide to Niagara Falls, by Raymond F. Yates. This sixth edition from July 1953 (first one is said to be from May 1947) consists of 56 pages of descriptions, illustrations and photographs.
The book proposes three virtual trips, “for the benefit of those who wish to see both the scenic and historical sights at Niagara in a systematic and efficient manner, free from the necessity of retracing steps.” Undoubtedly written for the managers back then …
Thankfully they do include some tips for those who chose to actually go there. I found this one interesting: ‘Please don’t ask for the location of the Indian wigwams’. But my favorit tip is: ‘Don’t try to take pictures with the mist blowing in your lens.’
Together with The Niagara Story came a collection of old jumbo postcards – unfortunately without date – and a surprise set of 4 black and white photographs from an unknown person but with a description on each reverse. If that description is correct, then the pictures were taken the summer of 1939! That is the year my parents were born … Amazing.
The pictures per se are not that great, but the one I like the best is the one on the top right, which was definitively taken by someone who has not read or cared about the tip with the mist.
HELSINKI
Back from Helsinki with a bag full of impressions, postcards and portraits. It was absolutely amazing and I am looking forward to get everything ready to show. It will take me some time I fear, until I have it all ready, so I start with a little teaser and will come back from time to time to put more on here. My priority now lies in the portraits which I want to have ready soon so I can sent them back to my “collaborateurs”.
More about Finland / Helsinki …
SLOVENIA
Just returned from Slovenia and had a quick glance at the portraits I did there with the help of Iztok Boncina. Not only did he do all of the translations but he also guided me around and was 100% there for every issue and at every time. As I am slowly beginning to understand the nature and subtle complexity of what is laying ahead of me I can truly say that I would not have gotten very far in the two days of shooting in Slovenia if it had not been for Iztok’s help. Great guy – thanks again Iztok!
Nonetheless, looking at what I have now, I see that the road ahead of me is a long one. A VERY long one. And that I might have to visit these people in Slovenia again to take another go at the portraits.
As I am still waiting for my new passport and thus confined to countries I can travel to with my simple ID-card, I see daylight getting dimmer and temperatures falling. We had actually snow in southern Germany over the weekend. A unusually early start of a winter that did not even show up last year. The hours in which the photos I want to take (outside) can actually be taken – and please withouth the very thick jackets that hide so much and lets everybody look alike – these hours are getting fewer and fewer.
So I am a little shaky about Helsinki, my next stop. Maybe I will not be bringing home anything suitable.
(By the way, even if I am giving an insight into the photos I took in Slovenia, it is not certain at all where the final edit will take me).
I encountered a number of issues along the path now. Issues that come up when one is on one’s way. And not before. So I will spent the winter pause trying to work them out. Maybe I will have to start all over again with the photos next year … maybe not. Maybe a little. We will see. It is organic, even being a conceptual work, because I have a number of parameters in, which are out of my reach (and it is supposed to be this way). I just feel I have to tighten things up on the parameters that are within my reach.
I will have to think about it. But first now: Helsinki!
Updated Version
I decided to take the restrictions off this project and to make it a more universal approach about communication and commitment. So now I accept “applications”! If you think you want to be a part of this project (including a possible exhibition, book and whatever might come out of it) AND we do not have met before, then please have a closer look here!
Handprinted, handmade cardboardbox with a set of 12 A6 postcards.
Edition: 75 (numbered and signed)
Size: 16 x 11,5 x 2 cm
