Glorifying the forgotten

I have a strange obsession with old photographs from the early 1900's. If you have ever visited an antique store you have probably seen the piles of lonely pictures for sale that were once someone's prized possession and are now forgotten photographs. All of the images were significant of birthdays, loves, friendships, family, childhood, travels and anything that the picture's owner wanted to document and have forever.

Taking a picture in 1925 was a very formal event. Photography for the masses had just arrived and people began to play with this notion of documenting milestones, events, or for fun.  

When I stumbled across this portrait of a young girl I was instantly intrigued. There is something about the image that I couldn't leave to be unappreciated. My intention is to re-glorify the forgotten image with mixed media.

Here again, from a book of images taken from 1920 to 1929, I came across a young girl and her sister. The book has at least forty more images of these two girls laughing and posing. I know nothing about these girls but somehow care to protect and preserve the evident bond that they shared.

By recognizing an old photograph, we are glorifying something forgotten and perhaps giving back it's significance. I may continue this calling and process since it gives me a good excuse to keep collecting photos of strangers.