[ Their short (Hi)story(ies) ]

This work shows portraits and living places of several retired persons living in the same neighbourhood in Cognin (Savoie, France). All settled there in the 50's.
Composed of portraits, going along with gestures and domestic views, each tryptic is associated to a short sentence taken from interviews.
This work also shows several domestic views pictures, individually.

Some talk about their memories, some about their daily occupations: I wanted to bring to the fore few elements that look insignificant, but that are yet a fair part of their generation, my grand-mother's, born in the 20's -30's.

Domestic interior views reveal layers of different living times : the accumulation of the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's transforms these places into peculiar paintings, into unique palimpsests, constantly evoluting, that started their writing when occupants arrived, and will end at their death.

Recording thoses lives, recording this fading individual and collective memory, this is what justified this work.
     


MARCEL
«I read first the death notices : a few times I was surprised to read some bad news... Anyway, I read it all up and down, above all when it is raining. Otherwise, I get out and have a walk.»




GASTON
« When we met, la Pépée and I, that was in January 39, she was 17 years and 5 months old. Today she is still so beautiful.»



MARIE-THERESE
« They are all different, it is relaxing. We finished this one together with my husband : a beautiful view of Los Angeles.»




ELISABETH
« I always loved music. Hard luck, I never took lessons. I play my way, it is relaxing. »




ANTOINETTE
« When knitting, I do simple things, decoration, and I like to do it well. When it doesn't fit, I undo and start it again. I know that if I really want to, I can make it right. But I do less and less knitting because of my back. »




IRENE
« Well, you know... It happened a long time ago. »




GASTON
« My cigarettes, I know it's my greatest weakness, my wife hides them in the house, but I discovered where... »




ELISABETH
« I feel attached on everything, it is a passion : all these little things, I cut them, stick them, I like colors and characters. I select them, I have already stuck a lot... »