This is what Sofia wrote in her post, and asks us to embrace imperfection. The challenge is to forget, in part, what you normally think as a good subject or the perfect composition. Think of the imperfection of things that are flawed or unsightly, the impermanence of things that have past their prime, the incompleteness of the transitional, capturing moments instead of the whole thing. Think of the unconventional and the ordinary and find beauty there.
I’ve been busy with family visiting from Australia, but we still managed to take him to Porvoo. I also found a few moments to wander through the old cemetery on the hill and we make a quick stop in the town centre on a darkening November day. And few days later thought that still will fit with the challenge.
History
The churchyard around Porvoo Cathedral suffered from severe lack of space in the late 18th century. Several attempts were made to discontinue burials inside the church, at least in the 1740s, due to unpleasant odours and damage to the church furnishings, as the floorboards had to be constantly moved. In the churchyard, the remains of the buried had to be lifted up so that new graves could be dug. Bones lay scattered around the church, and the town’s pigs and dogs found plenty to root around in. There was concern about the spread of epidemics. During the Russo-Swedish War of King Gustav III, many soldiers were quartered in Porvoo and mortality was high.[Land exchange was found to be the solution to the ever-growing burial needs of the military, the town and the parish population. The congregation received four barrel of land (about two hectares) of land on Näsinmäki, where townspeople who had died in the plague epidemic had already been buried in 1710; the disease claimed 652 lives Näsinmäki Cemetery was consecrated in 1789.
Challenge
And how do these relate to the theme Wabi Sabi? The stone fences age quietly with time, their rough surfaces slowly softened and muted by veils of moss. The seasons have carved delicate lines and cracks into the stones, each fracture a record of wind, rain, and frost. Time has left its marks on the metal fence as well, in patches of rust, peeling paint, and weathered edges that no longer follow a perfect line. The gravestones stand worn and leaning, their inscriptions fading, corners chipped, and surfaces pitted, yet holding a gentle dignity. In these quiet imperfections—the stains, the lichen, the broken edges and softened contours—the beauty of transience and impermanence is revealed, and the presence of all that has passed through this place can almost be felt in the air.
The cemetery is one a forested hill is located on the west side of the Porvoonjoki River. Näsinmäki Cemetery was consecrated in 1789, and it is the fourth-oldest cemetery in Finland that is separate from a church building.
Click on the gallery to enlarge the images.
Many thanks to Sofia for hosting this wonderful challenge. When you take part, remember to include the “lens-artists” hashtag in your posts so your entries can be found, and be sure to link your post back to the original challenge. Last week John invited us to showcase landmarks and monuments, and I really enjoyed discovering so many that were new to me. Even better, I especially loved seeing all the old analogue photographs!
We hope you’ll join us again next week when Patti returns to challenge us. Visit her website and the WordPress Reader at noon EST on November 7 in the USA.
Until then, let’s continue exploring, expanding our perspectives, and nurturing a positive mindset.
Stay updated on all of our challenges by subscribing to the Lens-Artists team members’ websites: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio, Beth. Ritva,
For information on how to join the Lens-Artists challenge please click here.
