A Sense of Sorrow
By Leslie Granda-Hill
4 October 2008
While I was shooting a photo documentary of a historic decommissioned penitentiary in NJ (where the image "Remorse" shown right was taken), I was saddened by the prospect of its' demolition. I believe that every place has a story to tell, if you stop and take the time to listen. I began to use antique dolls in locations that had a strong emotional history to represent the feelings associated with the location. For instance, on the 10th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, I photographed one of the dolls in Kensington Gardens in London. Looking for a location to shoot "Captive" on the Underground Railroad in Newport, Rhode Island, I came upon the first free African American church in America. While no contemporary photograph can justly represent our country's history of slavery, the long shadow in this photograph points to a past we can't deny. The image "Restless" was taken at The Westinghouse Factory in Newark, New Jersey which is no longer standing, but once was a vital part of the city. There is an overwhelming feeling of history at the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Many French families have been buried there for generations. Edith Piaf is buried there. Marcel Mareau was buried there the week that I shot "Broken". Each doll in a vignette shown here is just a token in an effort to capture a visual memory of something that cannot be shown- it can only be felt.
3 Responses
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On 16 October 2008 Paul Michael Kane said:
I got to see Leslie speak in person . . . her work and presentation are very inspiring . . . great essay . . . keep up the fantastic work!
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On 22 October 2008 dominic serrao gave props:
wonderful thought-provoking series...
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On 23 October 2008 Mary Ann Reilly gave props:
Great work, Leslie.
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