remembrances of things present

REMEMBRANCES OF THINGS PRESENT was made in support of my decision to let go of the things that no longer served me. Things I reflexively collected over the years: mementos and books and boxes of random items I once thought important; useful tools along my journey, now bookmarks no longer referred to. Objects allied to the collection of threadbare beliefs whose subscriptions had long ago expired.

My original idea for the series was to photograph the memory objects as I released them. Rid myself of the clutter while maintaining a visual history. When I began to make the images it struck me that I wasn’t letting go emotionally. I was merely removing the physical evidence. I continued to hold on. I was performing a sort of synaptic alchemy. An exercise in shape-shifting.

And then the idea decided to go off in a new direction, to follow a divergent path. Photograph the things I keep. Photograph the things I place around myself. Photograph the objects that continue to speak to me, whether in the physical or the emotional or the metaphorical. Photograph where I am now.

I am learning to live more simply, more spiritually and more in the present. I am learning to be less harmful. I am learning to surround myself with beauty. I am learning to support myself.

REMEMBRANCES OF THINGS PRESENT is a reflection in a mirror, collection of poems, a collection of self-portraits. It is the path I am learning to follow: quiet, simple and uncluttered.

david morris cunningham

images © david morris cunningham, all rights reserved