Photographer Romina Ressia is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. From her project ‘Not About Death‘. To see Romina’s body of work click on any photograph.
As many other children, I have grown with the ideal of omnipotence, beauty, physical and supernatural powers. I have been told that evil never wins; that if I am in a dangerous situation, somebody else will save me, and that all stories have a happy ending…
This project explores how we stand faced in the real world, as individuals, with the baggage we bring, which has been inculcated to us through cartoons, comics and fictional characters throughout our childhood. It explores how strongly those values and beliefs have been incorporated into our collective memory.
The Story behind Superman:
That Wednesday, when I opened the door, there was a tall man impeccably dressed, in a grey suit. His name is Nestor, a 75 years old man, widower since 2 years before this picture after having been married for 41 years. Losing the partner of his life made him realize that he must do something to continue, and that was how he discovered the passion about acting, singing and dancing.
He is a very polite man, and his energy is admirable. At the age of 75, he exercises every day and enjoys working, more for fun than for money.
He is such an interesting person!
The Story behind Snow White:
On September 18th, the day of the photography session, Cornelia was celebrating her 94th birthday. She traveled 500 km to celebrate that day here in Buenos Aires, with almost 50 relatives.
She arrived with Pilar, her granddaughter. And I couldn’t believe that woman was that age! She was adorable, with a contagious energy.
Mother of 12 children, having lost 6 of them, she grew up in the countryside and has had a strong life. However, she kept such a great attitude & sense of humor.
She was that kind of person who makes you to realize how beautiful life is.
The Story behind Captain America:
As Captain America I decided to photograph Gus, my husband. Even though he is much younger than my other models, I wanted to include him in this project due that he is the most important person to me and his support has been decisive for me to become an artist. Since the day I told him I wanted to leave my old job to start this new life, he agreed I should do what makes me happy. He trusted me, accompanied me, and helped me to grow up as an artist and as a person.
We met more than 10 years ago and have been together since that moment. It was actually difficult for me to make the decision to include him…now I understand better why people feel impressed to see their relatives for theses kinds of photographs.
Also he is funny, calm and the kindest guy you could meet.
The Story behind Wonder Woman:
I met Virginia 10 years ago, when she started taking care of Lorenzo, my 11 years old godson. Now she is like his grandmother.
Mother of two sons and married for almost 40 years, she came to Buenos Aires at 15 years old. Since that moment, she never stopped working.
I knew she would be happy to do these photographs. She smiles a lot and is a funny person. She is always ready to help and really knows how to enjoy life. I think I never saw her with bad humor in all these years…That is why I choose her to be Wonder Woman.
The Story behind Alice:
I was introduced to Yolanda, “La Chola” as her family calls her, by Paola her granddaughter, who describes her as the woman with the biggest heart.
At her 86 years old, Yolanda is an example of woman, hard worker, optimist, and very family oriented.
Her life hasn’t been easy. She has lost many love ones, first it was her husband, then her oldest son…. some friends have gone too, but she never gave up and never lost her positive attitude.
She was president of a club, where she still goes weekly to play cards with her lifetime friends.
Some health issues have complicated her lately, but they weren’t enough to slowdown this great woman.
Thanks to Gustavo, Virginia Lopez, Nestor Gallo, Cornelia Farias, Yolanda Pentito, Paola Grippo, Maria Punta Raffo, Alessandra Archimio, Pilar Georgeff & Agustina Kees.
See also:
By Romina Ressia
