The pictures in this post are old photographic cards that could be used as mere postcards. I remember seeing them for the first time in our family album – a thick and heavy book in green velour binding with a silver plaque on the front. Inside were family photos, as well as old postcards.
When I look at those old photos, I understand one thing: over the last century we have overcomplicated our thinking. Somehow it is not enough to just do a photograph, we need to underpin it with the message. “Just doing it” is no longer enough for just about anything. This is why Zizek comes to mind: “when ancient Greeks said “I love you” they meant just that. We are always afraid of saying too much”.
I have no doubt that we shall be able to “read into” these photos all sorts of interpretations. And maybe not all of them are wrong. But, as it stands, we first and foremost see a little girl who plays a lady. In all ages youngsters imitated adults, and littles girls wanted to grow up quick so they could wear “proper” dresses and use “lady’s” accessories.
