Riitta Paivalainen | Thinking About Photography

Riitta Päiväläinen

www.riittapaivalainen.com

River Notes

I enter to the world of water,

into the reflection.  

From the riverbed, I step to the unknown, 

to the world of beavers,

fishes and water birds. 

The simple, straight form of the ribbon,

starts to find new ways.  

It races through the landscape, entwines,

weaves into giant knots, rosettes, cobwebs and labyrinths.

In the series River Notes, I have explored the combination of ribbons, water reflections and secluded places. By cutting and sewing fabrics together, I have made long ribbons which I placed to the nature. The results are maze-like weavings, outlines without distinguished endings or beginnings, organic creations almost like those found in the nature.

Ribbons, racing through the landscape, are reflected on the surface of still, serene water. The semi-circular form mirrors as a whole circle. The transparent lines merge, creating an entity. A breeze -in a blink of an eye- the vision disappears. The fluctuating quality of a reflection raises a question of its true existence.

Landscape is not only a topographical, objective phenomenon. For me, it is personal and subjective. Working with a landscape means going into it: experiencing and sensing the place, finally being one, equal part of it. By bringing the landscape and ribbons together, I create a dialogue―an interaction. A feeling, odour, shape, colour of the surrounding nature inspires and evokes me. My aim is to suggest and bring forth potential stories, mental images and associations.

In my photographs there are no landscapes with geographical or man-made landmarks. I am interested in the opposite; silent places that are abandoned, secluded, uninhabited. My wish is to bring them front, give them voice.

Wading in the rivers, streams and flooded areas enables observation from unusual perspective. For me the water represents mirages of our dreams, memories and our subconscious. Combined with the ribbons, the result is a riddle that allures the viewer further into the image.

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