Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Life, Death & The Whole Big Thing

Can you tell I've gotten my photo mojo back this week? Last weekend I had a camera glued to my face most of the time it seemed, and I've been weeding through the pics over the past few days, picking out the ones I like.

On Saturday I had a wander around Camperdown Cemetary, just a few blocks from my house. It's mostly 19th century graves, and I was sad to see that it seems to be in even worse repair than last time I was there. They are doing work on the place, but progress seems slower than the rate of deterioration right now.



Layers

Life & Death

Garlanded

Tumbledown

Strung


I don't find cemetaries depressing, maybe a bit melancholic when you see the young ages of many of the 19th century internees, but mostly I find them peacefull. I don't really care what happens to me after I die, burn me and shove me in a cardboard box for all I care. I do love the old fashioned carved stones, and little personal messages on the old graves though.

Interestingly, Sydney is running out of space for traditional cemetaries, so maybe the cardboard box might become a real option?

9 comments:

K-A said...

What wonderful pictures. I too enjoy spending time with the dead. It's more then peaceful. There is a sense or feeling of calm and of something more.

Mel said...

Doesn't decay in a cemetery seem somehow just a bit right, though? Talk about an object lesson in impermanence.

Ur-spo said...

my parents when they were dating would go visit the old historical cemetaries. I thought it morbid but now I see the historical interest in that. I like looking at old cemetaries and tombstones now.

Thombeau said...

These are beautiful. Truly.

Sh@ney said...

I hope to visit some of the gravesites while I am down there this coming weekend...They are such peacful places, and fascinating ...

The Other Andrew said...

Thanks guys! Cemetaries are great, and yes very good reminders of imperminence. When I was doing my two year Buddhist studies course we even visited a cemetary during one module.

Paul said...

I find cemetaries fascinating, and your pics of the decaying headstones are really beautiful.

Cozalcoatl said...

Have you been to Rookwood? I'm sure you have.
Its beautiful and i took some good photos there...

The Other Andrew said...

I haven't been to Rookwood for a very long time, I should defimately do that sometime! Photo op!