Offbeat Portraits Integrate Elderly Subjects with Nature

Eyes as Big as Plates is an ongoing collaborative project by Finnish artist Riitta Ikonen and Norwegian photographer Karoline Hjorth inspired by Scandinavian folklore, said to be “the clearest reflection of the soul of a people.” The first stage of the work captures Norwegian natives—sailors, farmers, professors, artisans, teachers and parachuters—while the second explores Finnish folklore. The duo intentionally uses elderly subjects and fuses them with the existing land. A nod to the mythical protagonists of yore, the portraits honor a connection to nature and suggest a return to the earth.

The most recent extension of the project has brought them to New York for Recess’ signature program Session that invites artists to use their storefront as a studio, exhibition venue, and an experimental playground. During their residency, which runs through April 26, Ikonen and Hjorth will create costumes, settings, and performance programs for New York seniors who identify with their national and cultural roots.

Thanks Gabriela Herman for the tip.

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