Mirror with a Memory
When we look in the mirror, our reflection is only momentary. It lasts only as long as we look at it. Therefore it is fickle and fleeting. So, how can we say that a mirror has a memory, which can stop time and preserve it forever?
It is possible when we think of the oldest photographs, the daguerreotypes. They were, at the time of their invention, called mirrors blessed with memory. While looking at the pictures many observers were surprised, because they had not seen such a realistic reproduction yet. People actually stood speechless in front of daguerreotypes, and hoped that the person in the mirror wouldn't see their inappropriate behavior. Today we might call them magical, not only based on how people at that time perceived them, but also on the fact that the essence lies both in the appearance of our ancestors, and ourselves. It is a time loop, which in one scene connects the appearance of people across almost two centuries.
Their magic lies also in the gradual emergence of human traits. The picture is variable, at times it seems like a negative image, but from the right angle the human form emerges in an incredible picture quality. To take the daguerreotype in your hands is a holiday, but also a ritual. It lies in our personal contribution to the search for the image in the mirror. What surprises us is not only the quality, but also the special closeness of the person inside. We feel that the features of this face and attitude are somehow immediately familiar. We don't have this experience, while looking at classic photography or painted portraits.
In this beautiful book Mirror with a memory, the oldest portrait photographs in Slovakia 1840-1850, the authors come to the core of the daguerreotypes. We step back in time and see history and present at the same time through the portraits in the mirror.
The exhibition and publication are part of the realization of the research and educational project KEGA, "Renaissance of Historical Photographic Techniques of the 19th century".
For more information or ordering the book go to Central European House of Photography in Bratislava. www.sedf.sk
Journal
- When Photography was a Silver Plate
- The Daguerreotype Collection at the Museum fuer Kunst and Gewerbe, Hamburg
- The National Library celebrates the daguerreotype
- Treasures in the Royal Library of Copenhagen
- The Daguerreobase Project at the Daguerreian Society Symposium in Austin
- Ruskin, a lecture in Oxford by Ken Jacobson
- Raising Awareness in Northern Europe
- Our virtual exhibition on Google Cultural Institute
- Niépce's plates on display at The National Media Museum
- Modern Daguerreotypes of Historic Garden Treasures
- Join us in Bry-sur-Marne, October 2015
- Mirror with a Memory
- In Pasadena, The 2015 Daguerreian Society Symposium
- Images of the past, Reflections on the Present
- Estonian daguerreotypes soon to be published in Daguerreobase
- Daguerres Große Entdeckung. A publication by Peter Wutz
- Daguerreotypes. Europe's Earliest Photographic Records
- Daguerreobase at Daguerreian Society Symposium
- Become a member of the EDA
- Andreas Gruber for STREULICHT N°4
- A German Lady, a new publication by Jochen Voigt
- A Daguerreotype Workshop with Mike Robinson
- "Snap, bang, wallop, what a picture..."