The Memories
This work is the outcome of a university project on the subject of 'a young generation,' and it was displayed from February 25 to February 27, 2022. I recreated old childhood pictures of me and my family. My brothers, my cousins, and I spent a lot of time growing up together. So, this series is my personal approach on ‘a young generation’. In most cases, the overall vibe I got from the pictures, was the most important part for me. As a result, the photographs that don‘t have the most visual resemblance to the original, but instead realign with the atmosphere, are the ones that more closely reflect the memory for me.
Behind every photograph, there is a memory or even a situation that isn’t remembered. Through photographs, memories can be revived in the viewers’ minds. Often one doesn’t know if the memory of something is real or if it’s just the visual memory of the picture. A photograph can also add details to the memory. I want to elaborate on the details that make the essence of the memory for me:
What are my relationships with those memories and pictures?
What do I think resembles the situation the best?
I am referring to the punctum of an image. According to Roland Barthes, the punctum is a
small, initially inconspicuous detail in a photograph that subtly appeals to the subconscious of the viewer and ultimately attracts his attention. The punctum might be perceived as random, subjective, and uncontrollable. So, it depends on the individual viewer. By focusing on some of the details in the different photographs, I show the significance of the punctum from my very personal perspective. I display my connotation with the images and the memories related to them. Another factor that plays a huge role, is the change over time. The people in the pictures grew up and changed. Sometimes a memory of a person is completely shifted from how they are today.
