This was part of the governmental plan to centralize and modernize the nation after the Second World War. Communities that had survived for centuries in a hostile environment on the border between steep mountains and rough sea, totally isolated during the winter months, collectively decided to leave.
Neighbors and friends through generations packed everything they owned and left their homes and each other. Villages were totally abandoned within months. Due to shortage of building materials, they dismantled their houses and brought their homes with them as well, leaving only foundations. The traditional self-sufficient ways of life were lost, and a part of the coastal culture with it.
Today, 60 years later, nature has reclaimed the areas. Looking closer however, signs of lived lives still remain; stone fences and foundations still stand, surrounded by hidden paths and traces of gardens with herbs and flowers.
In this photographic project, I am bringing families and their lives back to the villages they once lived. Historic photographs from these places are returned to where they once were taken, linking past and present. The project is about passing of time, history, destinies and changes in society. Pictures and their histories are from descendants of those in the pictures.
Hebe Robinson
Johan Kristian Alfred Nilsen married Hanna Sofie Petersdatter. They had seven children and a foster son. Kristian was killed in 1944 by a mine that had been washed ashore by a storm. He was standing outside his house when it exploded. Three days before the accident, he wrote a letter to his daughter where he praised God for having such patience and not punishing them for their sins, but protecting them from accidents and illness.
Edle, Anne and Fredrik were the last generation growing up in Hermannsdalen. From November until April the family lived completely isolated. When Edle was eight years old, her grandfather took her and her sister Anne to the top of the mountain. From there, they could look down on their neighbours in the village Vinstad. She had never seen other houses before.
The wood gathering party poses for a group photograph.
Kalle and Astrup drinking outside the barn. After a long and isolated winter, it was time to enjoy the company of friends and family. Parties were arranged, although the guests had to walk for four hours to get there. In the midnight sun they danced to music from the wind up gramophone and drank homemade rhubarb wine.
Haying in Hermannsdalen. The hayfields were rich and fertile, but hard to get to. The men had to tie ropes around their waists on the steep hillsides. Two of the girls from the farm in Hermannsdalen are posing with three young men helping out during the haying.
Heiderg, Jacob and Fredrik are visiting the Myhre family. Visitors were rare, and a good opportunity to bring out the camera to document the happening.
Jørgine gave birth to eight children in this house, and she herself was born there. She lost three of her daughters there, too. Her daughter Fredrikke died in the winter at the age of 16. They had her lying in a shed as it was impossible bring her to the churchyard until spring. Every night her little sister Anne went to her to say goodnight. Jørgine is projected on the wall of her home for 90 years.
German soldiers are in Hermannsdalen to detonate mines that had been washed ashore. Gustav and his son Fredrik did not want the soldiers to enter the house. They were not considered guests. And inside, Jørgine, now close to ninety years old, laid in bed pretending to be ill with an illegal radio hidden under her blanket.
Mathilde was shy in front of the camera.
Alfred, Arne, Roald, Arnolda, Nanna, Torleif, Jon, Finn and others, out walking, probably on a Sunday after church.
Klara with her brother Almar.
Fair weather party.
(Interesante la manera en que esta técnica de collage se empieza a utilizar, para rescatar historias)
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