unreliable narrators

One of my favourite ever quotes is by German author and philosopher, Novalis. We seek the absolute everywhere, and only ever find things. I found it tucked away in the front pages of Leanne Shapton's "Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry". It tells the story of love found and then lost through objects photographed, numbered and described in an auction catalogue. Over time, we become increasingly unreliable narrators of our lives. Memories blur and bend and dissolve into forgotten sentences, outright lies, and frayed ends. When I was younger, I distrusted my memories so much I kept sixty litre plastic bins full of mementos from (what I thought were) significant events. A crumpled red computer store flyer my first boyfriend threw at me (in his clumsy way of flirting), serviettes from cafes ringed with spilt coffee, and notes written during long lectures at university. Sometimes I think it's wonderful how we can imbue things with so much meaning and sentiment, that they almost come alive. Other times, I can't help but think, isn't that rather bleak?

♥ Pictures by Rob on a Mamiya RZ67 & Kodak Portra NC400 120mm film ♥

♥ Shirt from Glassons ♥ Shorts from Witchery ♥