I can count on the fingers of one hand how many photos I have from my early childhood. One of my favorites was taken by an unknown photographer, whom my mother invited to my grandmother's apartment, where we used to live. I sit in my mom's arms and make some sudden movements, shouting happily at the camera, while mom has a cheerful expression on her face. Behind the frozen smile lurks death ... the death of the moment, of which photography is a sacred mausoleum and a memento of our mori.
My mother was 23 when she gave birth to me. I was 35 when my daughter was born. Mom often points out how much my daughter resembles me in gestures, movements, facial expressions, voice, and that playful gleam in her eyes.
The title of the diptych The Weight We Carry is Love is taken from the poem Song by Allen Ginsberg. The motivation for creating this piece was my reflection on whether we can break free from the traps of biology and upbringing. If my daughter is so much like me, how do I resemble my mother, even in ways I don't realize?
These photographs juxtaposed side by side, even though they are separated by a gap of 36 years, recalls stop-motion animation. Opening my eyes after blinking, I realize that decades have passed. What has changed over time? Love initiates new life, builds bonds, and creates continuity - all elements that are important to our evolution, and the circle goes on and on.
When I look at old family photographs together with my four-year-old daughter, she often asks, "Mom, where was I then?" I answer her, "You were in my thoughts, in my dreams, and in my heart."
Diana Rönnberg
The diptych was part of the exhibition SERCEHEARTCOR
curated by: Katarzyna Lewandowska.
Próżnia Gallery Szczecin, Poland.
serce w ZONIE / heart in the ZONE / сэрца на ЗОНЕ*
bum bum bum bum bum
serce moje
serce twoje
serce nasze
serce cierniowe
serce czerwone
serce w zonie
serce złamane
serce torunia
serce nienawistne
serce pik
serce jezusowe
serce przebite strzałą
serce zimne
serce gorejące
serce zawałowe
serce pęknięte
serce czarne
serce skrzelowe
serce pokrojone
serce w odwłoku
serce gołębie
serce kamienne
serce na dłoni
serce w gardle
serce otwarte
serce świni
serce muchy
serce lasu
serce złote
„od kiedy mam serce, liczyłam na więcej”
bum bum bum bum bum,
albo nie
Katarzyna Lewandowska