10 Conversations - Alice Karvelas

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Christmas Lights Series One

Photographs by Alice Karvelas

(Top row, L-R)
Archway, Crown and Star, Lower Hutt Dec 2003
Garden Angel, Wellington Rd, Wainuiomata Dec 2003
Flower Lights, Wellington Rd, Wainuiomata Dec 2003
Light Draped House, Wyndrum Avenue, Lower Hutt Dec 2003
(Bottom row, L-R)
Happy Birthday Jesus, McGowan Rd, Wainuiomata Dec 2003
The Elves have Gone to Bed, Bush St, Naenae Dec 2003
Jack's Place, Athlone Crescent, Lower Hutt Dec 2003

'I started photographing Christmas lights in Wellington suburbs two years ago. I set out to be illuminated by suburban art, and have found a strange and entrancing world. This work is part of an ongoing project exploring what the Christmas light decoration of homes means to those who do it, and to the rest of us.'

'In this selection of works I view the decorated house as a place of worship, of display, of symbolism and passion. What is the purpose of religion? For me, having none, I relish these ritual decorations so far removed from the religious as to be unconsciously so, and pagan in their manifestations. Displaced from its origin in the change of seasons, the ancient celebration with light is reborn and its essence revealed in a way it could not be in the North.'

Many thanks to Jane Pilkington and Jonny de Painter, and all those who were so appreciative and tolerant of my photographing their homes.

8 C-type prints, 400x400 framed, 245x245 unframed
Framing by Alice Karvelas and Jonny de Painter
Archivally mounted 100% rag mat