'Eyes as Big as Plates is the ongoing collaborative project between the Finnish-Norwegian artist duo Riitta Ikonen and Karoline Hjorth. Starting out as a play on characters from Nordic folklore, Eyes as Big as Plates has evolved into a continual search for modern human’s belonging to nature.The series is produced in collaboration with retired farmers, fishermen, zoologists, plumbers, opera singers, housewives, artists, academics and ninety year old parachutists. Since 2011 the artist duo has portrayed seniors in Norway, Finland, France, US, UK, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Sweden, South Korea, Czech Republic, Japan, Senegal, Outer Hebrides, Tasmania and Greenland.
Each image in the series presents a solitary figure in a landscape, dressed in elements from surroundings that indicate neither time nor place. Here nature acts as both content and context: characters literally inhabit the landscape wearing sculptures they create in collaboration with the artists.
As active participants in our contemporary society, these seniors encourage the rediscovery of a demographic group too often labelled as marginalized or even as a stereotypical cliché. It is in this light that the project aims to generate new perspectives on who we are and where we belong.'
Eyes as big as plates (no date) List of works Available at: https://eyesasbigasplates.com/list-of-works/ (Accessed: 29 November 2020)
Each image in the series presents a solitary figure in a landscape, dressed in elements from surroundings that indicate neither time nor place. Here nature acts as both content and context: characters literally inhabit the landscape wearing sculptures they create in collaboration with the artists.
As active participants in our contemporary society, these seniors encourage the rediscovery of a demographic group too often labelled as marginalized or even as a stereotypical cliché. It is in this light that the project aims to generate new perspectives on who we are and where we belong.'
Eyes as big as plates (no date) List of works Available at: https://eyesasbigasplates.com/list-of-works/ (Accessed: 29 November 2020)
There is something about these wonderful images that has connections with my work, I think. The settings, obviously (although mine are far less exotic than most of them) frame them as somehow being connected to nature. Originally, the the earliest images were linked to Nordic folklore and I definitley see elements of apparition in the images. There's something magical about them, shaman-like. I also really like the fact that these elders have been involved in the creation of the piece - in what they wear, the setting and presumably their poses. It's poignant, funny and thought provoking.
Opening the series to invite participants from around the world gives it a different kind of meaning, I think. Firstly, choosing to photograph older people in these settings is delightful, empowering and gives dignity to age, I think. These are all people who are retired, from all kinds of roles, from many differnt countries and cultures. Ageism is a real issue, and these are very positive images of older people.
However, I also think that there's a darker side to these photos, a side to do with death, of course. Setting older people in a natural environment, shrouded in nature, brings to mind burial and decay.
Opening the series to invite participants from around the world gives it a different kind of meaning, I think. Firstly, choosing to photograph older people in these settings is delightful, empowering and gives dignity to age, I think. These are all people who are retired, from all kinds of roles, from many differnt countries and cultures. Ageism is a real issue, and these are very positive images of older people.
However, I also think that there's a darker side to these photos, a side to do with death, of course. Setting older people in a natural environment, shrouded in nature, brings to mind burial and decay.