On the note of acquired photographs, I recently had a discussion about how we put so much sentiment onto photographs taken and attach so many memories and stories to them. On a recent visit to an antique shop with a friend, I was somewhat horrified to find boxes full of old personal photographs up for sale. Here, these sentimental objects are removed from their owners and the owner’s stories and become instead a material object that is bought and sold. It made me wonder what will happen to all my pictures of vacations, friends and family and things I hold dear once I pass on and my future generations discard and pass around my possessions. Looking through these old photos, I could only help but wonder first off, why someone would get rid of personal photographs, and then what had happened to the people who cherished these photographs and what memories could they have evoked from the piece.
Here is a photo of three soldiers it seems in an unknown landscape and an unknown time frame. The personal note written on the back was obviously intended for someone and leaves me asking more questions than the answers it gives back. I love how the author of the note kindly highlighted his position in the photograph with a little blue arrow scribbled on the photo. I guess we’ll never know the full story behind this and the three men will remain a mystery.
