This small set of photos was taken several years ago, but despite going back to the images on quite a few occasions, I really didn’t think they were good enough. I’m still not sure they are to be honest, but that’s a fairly standard concern, so sometimes it’s best to cast aside such insecurities and just go for it. That said, much more of a push to post them was the current climate, and how the photos may now posses a little bit of added poignancy.
The house itself was a mystery. No idea who lived there, or even when they left, as unusually for Japan, there wasn’t a calendar in the property. The only genuine giveaway is the music that was once played there, although clearly it’s the real sound of silence the rooms are now familiar with.
Stephan says
Great photos very haunting. My guess it could 30 years + since it was lived in………
Lee says
Thank you. Yeah, could be. Easily so considering the posters. I generally prefer to have some rough dates, but a bit of speculation is sometimes nice as well.
DavidT says
Very atmospheric, I sure wish my not good enough photos looked as awesome as this! 😉 I really like the last shot with the cassette removed. Perfect! 🙂
Lee says
Thanks, that’s very kind of you! Yeah, the cassette player was a very nice surprise, but the bigger one was probably the Simon and Garfunkel poster. Totally unexpected.
cdilla says
Quite an enigmatic set of photographs. To me it looks as if the house was really cleaned out when it first became uninhabited and quite some time later was occupied by those who left the clothes and late 70s boombox – migrant worker(s) perhaps. Any idea what was featured in those contact strips?. I like that there is an actual tea chest there for removals. The first time I moved house we used those. Nowadays it’s all cardboard boxes.
Definitely worth showing us. How could it not be with that perfect title opportunity. So evocative.
Lee says
That’s an interesting idea. Hadn’t thought of that. Definitely makes sense. Could also help explain the incredibly unusual lack of a calendar as well!
Cheers. Glad to hear it. And yeah, it’s rare a title is gifted so perfectly.
Lee says
Oops, forget to mention the contact sheets. A festival/procession of some sort, but no idea which one, or where.
Mobydoux says
When I die, I’d love my place to be kept untouch for 30 years and discovered by someone like you.
Lee says
That’s an interesting idea. As melancholy as some of the places can be, to discover aspects of someones life all those years later is without a doubt special. An echo from the past in a way, or at the very least a bit of history that feels much more real than say looking at photos, or hearing stories.
Mobydoux says
That’s it : an echo from the past just heard by the visitor. Like a beam lost in the time.