Estonia
Judy
A lesbian woman, age 51
Photo: Alana Proosa
Photo: Alana Proosa
Judy told:
I would leave behind this bottle. I have had a passionate relationship with alcohol for quite a long time. And next week it will be two years that I haven’t drank at all. It had a significant role in my old life, it helped to suppress being in the so-called closet. And then some time ago […] I noticed that actually, I have brought something along to my new, out of the closet life. And then I recognised that I don’t have to suppress anything anymore. Still, it was difficult to give up drinking, because it’s so woven into everyday life. So at first, when I met up with friends or colleagues, I felt like one friend was missing. It wasn’t as fun. […] I attend a group as well, where we can share with each other, a bit more like therapy. But this bottle was brought by friends who came to dinner. I can now easily pour to others, but this bottle was left and haunting me a bit, chats with me from the cupboard. So it was a good opportunity to bring it here. I think it’s a rather good quality wine, I can even imagine its taste on the tip of my tongue.
I brought this brooch. It is made of avocado seed. It symbolises being in the present and enjoying the moment. I make small things as I don’t have room for large scale wood work, but with an avocade seed I can take it from my pocket at any moment to be by myself. Sometimes I take a break at work when it becomes overwhelming, and then on a park bench, I take my knife and the seed. It smells good and the tits [birds] like it, too.
About the project in Estonia
Artist Alana Proosa photographed objects brought by the participants. These objects symbolised something to leave behind and something to bring to the future. These objects are accompanied by accounts told by the interviewees.
