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RELIVE HISTORY WITH PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographers relive their personal histories by recreating images from family albums that define memory.
Before the digital cameras came in to the picture, the family photo albums occupied a very special place in our homes and hearts. Photographs in those albums were few but precious. Sparingly clicked and carefully shared, these old family photographs may be fewer in number (compared to these trigger happy times), but they are far from being forgotten.
We found over fifty projects on the internet where families indulge in recreating old photos, a popular trend these days. Typically, these chosen (to be recreated) photographs are of a family holiday which always reminds you of a funny incident, a photo from school days that reminds one of a good friend, or of an old car that brings back memories of driving lessons. In other words, these are significant moments that transport us back in time.
We pick five photographers who literally re-live that moment again. That is to recreate it in a literal sense – with the same cast of characters, location, costumes, props, colour tones and textures. Interestingly, we did not come across such a project from India.
Then-Now by Luxten Brothers
Sons of Ms Luxten in a broke phase decided to gift their mother a Christmas present more precious than what their wallets could buy. They recreated old photos decades apart from when they were shot. The results of their experiment look cute and surreal as the toddlers transform into bearded men. Thier scincere effort to look innocent is indeed convincing.
View project here: http://then-and-now-photos.tumblr.com
Don’t miss this hilarious ‘lecture’ by the Brothers talking about the project:
Time Travelling by Christine H Mconnel
Christine H Mconnel dives deep into the past to recreate portraits of her ancestors, some dating back two hundred years. Mconnel matches new and old portraits perfectly to create this series that showcases ‘beauty through seven generations’.
Growth by Wilma Hurskainen
By recreating old photographs taken by her father of her and her three sisters, Finnish photographer Wilma Hurskainen explores the dynamics in family photographs. “Anyone with any family history can tell that, although the family pictures are supposed to tell a story about a happy, unanimous family, growing up with other people is never simple. Family photographs can be a way of reflecting one’s past and identity, but the pictures conceal just as much as they reveal”.
View her project here: www.wilmahurskainen.com/series/growth/growth.html
Back to Future by Irina Werning
Photographer Irina Wering’s curiosity led her to intrude her family and friends homes, dig their old photographs and recreate them. “I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today…”
Check out her work here: www.irinawerning.com/index.php?/back-to-the-fut/back-to-the-future/
Watch this documentary about Irina’s work:
Eternal Love by Cao Yuehua and Wang Deyi
98 year olds Cao Yuehua and Wang Deyi completed 70 years of marriage in November 2015. This remarkable couple from China celebrated their love by re-visiting iconic memories from their lives spent together.
All Images (c) Photographers
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