Fantasy Abandoned by Reason
Fear is a fundamental human emotion, often triggered by the unknown and the imagined. It serves as a survival mechanism, preparing us for threats. The interplay of light and dark can both alleviate and intensify fear. Light can reveal what is hidden, providing a sense of safety, but it can also cast shadows that obscure and distort.
In modern urban environments dominated by artificial lighting, we have grown accustomed to constant illumination. This reliance on electric light means that even brief moments in darkness can evoke intense fear in some individuals. Darkness triggers anxiety and a sense of foreboding shaped by past experiences and stories, conjuring images that amplify our fears.
Humans naturally seek familiar shapes in the unknown, and this tendency, coupled with the dangers of darkness, magnifies our perceptions and fears. Additionally, the scientifically debated phenomenon of Scopasthesia, or the feeling of being watched, can lead us to imagine nonexistent threats. These sensations can overwhelm us in the dark, making every shadow seem more menacing and intensifying our fears.
The unknown, unseen, and imagined meld in our minds to create narratives in response to these voids. Our brains fill in gaps, often with frightening possibilities, pushing us toward the twilight of rationality.
To explore the primal fear of darkness, I set out on a journey of listening and visualising. I interviewed 12 individuals (identities withheld) who shared their unique and deeply personal encounters. Their narratives, ranging from intense terror to lingering unease, reveal the profound impact of darkness on the human psyche. I was struck by the vivid imagery and emotional colour in their recollections, filled with unanswered questions, hesitations, and surprises.
In my project, Fantasy Abandoned by Reason, I interpret these 12 distinct visceral experiences, translating spoken narratives onto the photographic canvas and blending them with the fragmented musings of my subjects as they articulate their fears. By shaping these hidden anxieties, I encourage viewers to confront their own relationship with the unknown and embark on a journey into the depths of human emotion and the shadows that shape our perceptions.