Annette Jannotta

I have always been fascinated by movement, memory and time; how we perceive our surroundings while in transit.  How much do we take in relative to how fast we are moving--what do we remember? 

Papa-san told me my soul was very Japanese just before he passed. My ex-husband's family always welcomed me and accepted me as one of their own. I know this even though we couldn't communicate with words. Sometimes without words more can be said. My camera helps me to overcome language barriers, as I can share what I'm seeing and feeling through imagery.

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My father-in-law was a caring, giving person. He was always the one at the microphone leading family parties and karaoke sessions. He brought people together, made sure everyone was comfortable and he spread joy. Papa-san was Celebration.

 

In the winter of 2015, Papa-san passed. His soul was renamed by the Buddhist priest for the Snow. My ex-husband and I traveled to Japan during his illness and after his passing.

 

I was often alone during this time. Silent and observant, I began playing with the panorama setting on my Samsung phone; documenting Japan's beauty while moving through it at different speeds.  What will the camera pick up in comparison to my human experience? Sometimes from cars, sometimes walking and sometimes at 200 miles per hour in the Shinkansen. The phone camera's struggle to retain imagery at different speeds and stitch them together resulted in something beautiful to me; capturing slices of stunning quiet moments and unexpected compositions. Below are just a few of my favorites. I dedicate these to Papa-San:

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-Annette