Blind Memory – Sisters Photo Session in Tuscany
This series is about a relationship lost in the course of time. It tells a story of two sisters, their closeness, love and devotion, which eventually dissolve and each of them goes their own way. The photos are accompanied by the story, which is my interpretation. You can look at the images and read along or you can choose to make up your own story. After all, photography is about personal interpretation.
THE STORY
Zaria and Layla were as close as sisters can get. One was a mirror reflection of the other. You couldn’t tell where one of them ended and the other begun. They were one, sharing secrets, dreams and passions.
One day, when strolling through a meadow Layla noticed a beautiful rock. She picked it up and gave it to Zaria saying “whatever happens in life, I want this stone to remind you of me”.
Zaria, touched by the token, decided she wanted to gift Layla something in return. Something special and one of a kind. Right then, a firefly flew right in front of her and disappeared in the woods nearby. Without thinking, she jumped up, grabbed Layla by hand and together they ran off to the forest. Zaria tried to grab the firefly time and time again, but it was too quick. Yet she persisted and eventually catched it.
Delighted, Zaria put it in a little jar and was about to hand it to Layla. She couldn’t know that there was an ancient spell cast on fireflies in that forest. Hundreds of years ago, villagers living nearby were so fascinated by the fireflies that they caught almost all of them. Fireflies became almost extinct and an enchanter who lived in the woods cast a spell on the remaining few. Whoever touched them in the forest, would loose memory.
As Zaria held the firefly, her memory faded away. She couldn’t remember why she had caught the firefly nor why she was in the woods. Yet, worst of all, she couldn’t recognise the girl that was standing next to her. Looking at Layla she asked, “Who are you? Can I help you with something?”.
At first Layla thought it was one of many games that they played and laughed. Yet soon she realised what happened. Zaria didn’t recognise her. She lost all their memories, all the joys they shared and dreams they cultivated. And with them, Layla lost the dearest person she had. Zaria was standing there, but it was as if she was dead. Empty and hollow.
