Doug Jones
ojovivo
todays bird
Interview Vampire Daily
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Aqua Utopia｜海の底で記憶を紡ぐ
KIROKAZE
YOU ARE THE REASON
❣ Chile in a Photography ❣
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@theartofmadeline
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@elenahelfrecht
Letzter Bissen, 2022, from Unternächte.
The "last bite" is a tradition among hunters. The twig in the mouth of the shot deer represents the last meal before death and is a symbol for the reverence of life. Only certain kinds of trees can be used: Fir, spruce, pine, oak or alder.
The so-called "Bruchzeichen" are also used for markings and messages among hunters.
Frau Specht', 2019/20, from 'Unternächte', an ongoing project examining the time, myths, and traditions during Winter in my home area in Bavaria. The Specht is one of the figures here roaming the nights between Christmas and New Year. Read more below – project with more info on my website (link in bio). Looking much forward to continuing this in the colder months. When my grandfather was a child, his grandmother went into the garden with him to leave some leftovers from the Christmas dinner, to feed and appease the Specht, who would thank people with a rich harvest in the new year. This is my mom in a traditional costume of the Spechten of Konnersreuth. In the 80ies, the village revived this tradition by giving it a figural form, and now every year at noon on the 24th of December, the Spechten roam the village. Children are invited to throw old bread into the sacks they carry around with them, in exchange for candy, which the Spechten will then hand out in return. Traditionally it is told to children that, if they don't treat the Specht with respect and leave her some food, she will come at night, cut them open with her long blade, and fill their bellies with straw and stones. Naturally, this story is left away now in Konnersreuth – and the usual sharp knives the Specht is equipped with got actually replaced with wooden versions. In other areas the Specht goes around grinding her knives, screaming 'Wetza, wetza, Bauch aafschneidn' (Grinding, grinding, cutting the belly open).
Wegweiser, 2022. From Unternächte.
I constantly feel tired and overwhelmed, and I really have to distribute the small amount of energy I have available smartly. The lack of daylight admittedly makes it worse in the cold season, even though I love Winter and darkness more than anything (who could tell, haha).
It's only natural that body and mind go into hibernation mode, this happens to every living creature on this planet. Our ancestors knew this, which was precisely the reason why during the Rauhnächte work was strictly forbidden.
And yet this capitalist society expects business as usual without any regard for the natural order of things. Oh, what a world we live in!
'Chasm', 2021, from the series 'Plexus'.
There's a new interview about my work, birds and upcoming projects on Lenscratch this week. :) Click here to have a read!
From the diary.
This year, I spent my 30th birthday on a hiking trip in the Dolomites, together with the best friends anyone could wish for. I didn't take many pictures (for a change), but this was definitely one of the many magic moments.
Allvater, 2022. From Unternächte. My grandpa's hands. Website | Instagram
Creature II.
From a commission by Emma Bowkett for Financial Times Weekend earlier this year, accompanying a piece by Precious Adesina, about insomnia and fear of the dark (click here).
Fragments. From the diary, 2022.
Prayer, 2021. From Plexus.
Cool toad info incoming! 🐸 Sharing some shots from my diary with you that bring me great joy. Toads have always been my favourite animals, and I am so happy whenever I see one (as with all animals; especially small critters hold a special place in my heart). These images are from a recent nightwalk, where we maybe encountered around 30 toads on their way to spawn.
Since medieval times, the toad is symbolically associated with the uterus (which makes sense, thinking about how they rest in the ground, the great mother). Votive depictions of toads were also used as fertility charms. Equally, the toad was considered as a familiar spirit, and often associated with witches. During the so-called Galli-Mainini-Test, toads and frogs were used for early detection of pregnancy. Urine or blood serum from a test subject was injected subcutaneously into the dorsal lymph sac of the animal, and if the female spawned after 12 to 24 hours or spermatorrhoea was observed in the male, then the test subject was considered pregnant.
And like me, they prefer dark hiding spots and like to be left alone (which, admittedly, I didn't exactly do for photography's sake). Probably the reason why I always saw them as kindred spirits.
So pleased that @terivarhol's and my collaborative book, 'Augury', is now available in the UK through Photobookstore!
Order in UK
Order in EU
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Not many copies left, so if you're thinking about it, now's the time ♥
“Here’s a secret. Until my mid-twenties, I was afraid of the dark. Not just walking down a deserted street at night-time — though, like most women, I would avoid this where possible. My fear followed me indoors. I couldn’t go to sleep at night without the ceiling light on. The idea of being alone in darkness, even in my own bedroom, was panic-inducing. My heart would pound, my breathing would quicken, and I would feel certain that something terrible was around the corner.” This weekend my work is accompanying a beautiful piece written by Precious Adesina on Financial Times Weekend, in print and online 💫 (The State of Mind issue) Massive thanks to Emma Bowkett for entrusting me with this dream of a commission. Head over to Financial Time to read more, or grab a physical copy! ❤
A shot from the diary. 2021.
The Others, 2019. From Plexus.
https://elenahelfrecht.com/Plexus
New interview online at Paperjournal, about our new book, 'Augury'! "15 questions with Teri Varhol & Elena Helfrecht" Read HERE Images from @terivarhol’s and my collaborative photo book, ‘Augury’. Waterfall by @terivarhol
Orders from EU here
Orders from US here
Collector’s edition with two prints here
Grandma, 2018. From Plexus.
26.05.20 22:05 From @terivarhol’s and my collaborative photo book, ‘Augury’. Orders from EU here
Orders from US here
Collector’s edition with two prints here