Haunted Air

"Haunted Air" is a collection of anonymous found photographs which document everyday people in the latter half of the twentieth century celebrating the pre Christain festival of Samhain, otherwise known as All Souls' Day or latterly, Hallowe'en. The book exhales a curious sense of dread and uncanny nostalgia, as each photograph breathes a dull breath of fleeting other worldliness, a strange intangible quality of memento mori. In this book, treasured keepsakes and family heirlooms act as the failed signifier for those once loved, forever obscured by hideous and demonic masks, lost forever.  These images haunt the mind and serve as half remembered memories of a world populated by the then living, dressed up as surreal cadavers, masked witches and malevolent spirits. I highly recommend you seek out a copy. A wonderfully odd and unforgettable book.

I am deeply indebted to the publishers, Jonathan Cape and author, Ossian Brown for supporting the blog by generously sending a review copy.  The book is published by Jonathan Cape on the 28th October, 2010. Here's a little indirectly related footage.