Haunted Air

This collection of photographs captures the rich traditions of Hallowe'en, showcasing its evolution from ancient customs to modern practices in Haunted Air.

The roots of Hallowe'en can be traced back to the ancient pre-Christian Celtic festival of Samhain, a time to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. This festival was marked by the belief that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, allowing spirits to roam freely among the living. As Christianity spread, the pagan traditions were incorporated into All Souls' Day, a time for honoring the deceased. During this period, children and the less fortunate would don masks and costumes, wandering the streets in search of 'soul cakes' in exchange for prayers, while fires were lit to ward off any malevolent spirits.

Haunted Air offers a unique collection of photographs that capture the essence of these traditions, showcasing the eerie and fascinating customs associated with Hallowe'en from 1875 to 1955. The images serve as a window into a bygone era, revealing the ways in which people engaged with the supernatural and commemorated their loved ones. Each photograph tells a story, representing family portraits and mementos that have been separated from their original context, now existing as fragments of memory.

This collection is not just a visual journey through time; it is also an important contribution to photographic history. The photographs in Haunted Air are remnants of personal histories, often torn from albums and sold for mere pennies, now scattered and left to the whims of fate. They evoke a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, inviting viewers to reflect on the past and the ways we remember those who have passed.