As outlined in my proposal I had a number of options for the theme to this project. I have decided to follow the Superstitions Still Life title. Although I will pursue the Life drawing project at a later date. The reasons for choosing Superstitions over the others is that this one is in keeping with all the other projects carried out in both semesters so far. It would be foolish to begin a different line of photography however closely linked they are in style. However, I am mindful that this is the final project at Uni and these images are intended for the end of year exhibition. I believe though the tests outlined already will provide a hard enough challenge that will more than compensate for any loss in subject matter.
Why superstitions:
Superstitions are a fascinating concept, why will sane people do the strangest of things because of some belief that either good or bad will happen if they don't. It all comes down to a play on fear and how this has been exploited. For example Spilling Salt; still to this day people will throw the spilt salt over their left shoulder. Salt used to be an expensive commodity and this may be the reason for this very strange custom. Different cultures believe different things. If you spilt salt you would bring bad luck to yourself. Each grain of salt spilt would represent future tears. Throwing salt over the left should placates some of this future bad luck as you are throwing salt into the devil's eye.
From the above example you can see a common link between superstitions and religion, and here may lay some of origins of many of today's examples. However its strange that religious leaders distance themselves from superstitions as its suggests lack of trust in the god they worship.
Photographing simple objects that have a symbolic meaning will create a fascinating study of artifacts that make the viewer shudder or feel reassured. Some are more obvious than others but all have strong meaning to the item no matter how bazaar!
Examples of subject matter:
Shudder
Number 13 - There are so many reasons put forward why no 13 is unlucky non have been credited. Some reasons are there are 12.4 lunar months, 12 true months the last being smaller. Religious readings are 13 people attended the last supper, Judas being the 13th guest.
Broken Mirror - can be traced back to Roman times as they were the first to produce a reflective surface. They believed that the mirror had some way of confiscating the person's soul. So breaking the mirror meant part of the soul was trapped. The 7 years part of the superstition came from the Roman's believing that every 7 years the body renewed itself.
Rocking an empty rocking chair - this superstition is believed to have come from Ireland, who believed that rocking an empty rocking chair invited evil spirits in to sit in the empty chair, thus bringing death to the house.
Gift a purse without any money - It is believed by putting money in a purse that is a gift will ensure that purse is never empty of money.
Opening an umbrella inside - There two schools of thought but this is the one I like best. The umbrella symbolises a shield against what ever it thrown at you. It is deemed bad luck to open an umbrella indoors as you will offend the house spirits that protect the house as you are demonstrating they are not up to the job by this act.
Peacock feather - this is another one of those inviting the spirits into the house. The peacock feather symbolises the devil's eyes.
Putting a spoon through an eaten egg shell - in a similar vain to the others, by breaking through the bottom of a finished egg you are inviting the devil in.
Spilt Salt - as above
Reassurance
Four leaf clover - will bring you luck. As a four leaf clover is quite hard to find amongst it's more common 3 leaf cousins, the finder will be blessed with good luck. Each leaf represents a different meaning, 1st Faith, 2nd Hope, 3rd Love, 4th Luck.
Horseshoe - As with the Number 13 there are many theories linked to the origins of the horseshoe. Most have some association with the animal itself, horses are seen as a lucky animal, the shape of the horse shoe is a crescent also associated with good luck, and so on.
Rabbit's Foot - Historians are still at odds with each other as to the origins of the luck associated with the rabbit's foot. Some are as follows: The rabbit was seen as a mystical creature as it spent so much time under ground. Rabbits by nature are very fertile. The association of the rabbit and Easter.
Penny - The old rhyme of: "see a penny pick it up all day long you will have good luck." A penny was worth a considerable amount in times gone past, if you were poor and found a penny then your luck would have changed.
Fingers crossed - symbolises the cross of Christ. By crossing you fingers you are asking god for luck.
Chinese cat waving - Maneki Neko as with many other superstitions has many different meanings, some say the cat is waving, some it's beckoning. Either way the cat brings luck to the owner.
Double egg yolk - if you break an egg with two yolks, it was thought that a child would be on its way. The two yolks resemble two lives together.
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