Photographer Esa Luoto is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary photography. From project “Prayer“. To see Esa’s portfolio of projects click on any image.
Attendees were seeking relieve to all sorts of different life’s problems: physical, mental, loss etc. Vaasa, Ostrobothnia.
Prayer
A documentative project I started some years ago while studying. To me as an outsider the moment of a person praying seems very intimate, fragile and personal. To a person of belief I’m sure it stands for a whole lot greater feelings and momentum. I decided to embark on a journey or an investigation as to what kind of aesthetics I could reach into and pull out to be examined.
I noticed the healing prayer included a lot of touching. I made a note of it, since our culture seems very distant in that (touching) manner. Only recently I’ve read articles about the relaxing physical health powers of hugging, for instance. Vaasa, Ostrobothnia.
The pictures were shot during winter 2012 as I tagged along with a christian communal club for motorcyclists as well as some prayer groups held by a christian healer and his followers. The situations depicted in the series all happened in the Ostrobothnian area in Finland.
Prayer to begin the meeting for a Christmas party. Central Ostrobothnia
Healing prayer meeting held at a couple’s own house in the outskirts of the town. Vaasa, Ostrobothnia
The club has members of all christian sects. Also their tools seem very up-to-date. Central Ostrobothnia
People attending the ceremony were in good spirits and smiling. When the actual happening started, it seemed that they felt a presence which had a very abstract, indescribable form. Vaasa, Ostrobothnia.
The glass jar on the table is labelled ‘OFFERING’. Central Ostrobothnia
During the meeting, nobody cried. Instead, some attendees were caught in a loop of laughter for minutes on end. Vaasa, Ostrobothnia
To an outsider the sounds and sights of the event could have seemed scary or uncomfortable. However, everybody attending seemed to enjoy. Vaasa, Ostrobothnia
