honorable mention
Elena Dilai united states
title
The Soul Of Generations
To produce these images, I photographed three Ukrainian girls in their own Ukrainian blouses and then finished the images in both, color (to represent the modern days) and sepia (to represent the past). Images were printed and cut to be combined into joined photographs, connected by a braid made of an embroidery thread which represents the connection between different generations. The combined images were photographed again to produce the final photographs. I purposely did not use software to produce the final images; to me, the physical process of connecting two different styles of imagery was in itself a representation of the symbolic meaning of this series.
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entry description
The goal of this series is to show a deep connection many Ukrainians have to their heritage and culture. The traditional Ukrainian Motanka doll has no face and no soul, the eyes of a doll are generally covered by a ribbon or a decorative yarn, and it is believed that the owner of the doll will give it a soul. Every young Ukrainian girl raised in USA and other countries of the world carries not just her own soul but the soul of many generations of ancestors. The images in this series represent the inter-generational connection, they depict young Ukrainians who have the respect to and the knowledge of the Ukrainian culture, it is cultivated, cherished and passed on from generation to generation.To produce these images, I photographed three Ukrainian girls in their own Ukrainian blouses and then finished the images in both, color (to represent the modern days) and sepia (to represent the past). Images were printed and cut to be combined into joined photographs, connected by a braid made of an embroidery thread which represents the connection between different generations. The combined images were photographed again to produce the final photographs. I purposely did not use software to produce the final images; to me, the physical process of connecting two different styles of imagery was in itself a representation of the symbolic meaning of this series.
about the photographer
Born in Ukraine, but calling USA home for the past 29 years. Mathematics professor, who has been in love with photography for many years and is passionate about translating her vision of the world through photography. Passionate about capturing beauty often unnoticed or overlooked, have been experimenting with different genres and techniques. Main interests revolve around portrait, travel, nature and still life photography.back to gallery
