Marten
A gay man, age 62
I brought only one thing here. When I was figuring out what would I like to leave behind, I also came to the conclusion, that I’d like to get rid of stuff. When I see the pile of memorabilia under dust, I feel split. And as you know, there are no pockets in the shroud. Collecting is also wearing people out. I’d like to put behind feelings of guilt. Guilt that I haven’t fulfilled the expectations set to me by the close ones. Like having children, for example. People tend to talk about gay couples having children—it’s not as simple as it might seem based on all the talk in the media.
To the future, I’d like to bring this music box. It symbolises a feeling of safety and peace to me, and delight. I brought it from Paris, it plays Édith Piaf. So when it’s a hard moment, I put it to play and immediately the clouds aren’t that dark anymore.
About the project in Estonia
The photographed objects were brought to the group interview by the research participants. These objects symbolised something to leave behind and something to bring to the future. The stories are excerpts from the interviews.
Photos: Alana Proosa
