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Maja Daniels is a Swedish independent photographer currently based in London, UK. She recently relocated after having spent 6 years in Paris, France. Her recent project 'Into Oblivion' investigates the politics of ageing in modern society and is a haunting insight into life within a geriatric hospital in the northwest of France.

'This series documents not only the day-to-day challenges in an often ignored sector, but also the wider implications of the growing populations of elderly in modern society as an increasing life span has coincided with the breakdown of the family unit. These aspects have caused a growing disregard for the elderly, swept aside by a commercially driven, youth-obsessed culture. As growing old and being dependent is more taboo than ever, the geriatric institution hides our elders away, safely out of sight.'

'The "Protected Unit" is home to residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Due to tendencies to wander about and potentially get lost, they are confined within the ward. A locked door separates the occupants from the rest of the hospital.'

This locked door is significant in this series as many of the patients are regularly attempting to leave. Due to the symptoms of Alzheimers being memory loss and to regularly wander, the ward must keep a restriction in place. The door is a strong metaphor for Maja's suggestion that the increasing dependancy of the elderly population is a taboo amongst our society.

'The locked exit of the ward is damaged due to repeated attempts to force it open. The residents in the ward are confined for security reasons according to the « principle of precaution »; initiated to protect the residents.'

Resident’s room in Alzheimer’s ward.

Resident’s room in ward. Most people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease live in institutions today. The number of individuals above the age of 60 is expected to double over the next 25 years.

Resident stands in the common room of the Alzheimer’s ward.

 Amongst some haunting portraits, many of the photographs are cropped or do not include patients faces. The cropped images speak volume as they communicate less about the individual being photographed and more about the subject matter on a broader scale, by giving room for people to identify themselves within the context. The low saturated pastel colours and the stark minimal environment creates a strange correlation to their existance as the residents' memories fade, and personal possessions become less meaningful.

I recently listened to 'The Bus Stop' on Radiolab - and have continously been repeating the story since. Its an inspiring story where a nursing home in Düsseldorf, Germany comes up with an alternative solution to having to lock the door to prevent residents wandering. It also acknowleges the sensitive treatment to individuals bespoke needs rather than trying to categorise people and push them through systems and institutions. 

To see further photographs and to read the full proposal of 'Into Oblivion' please visit Maja's website

Maja is taking part in the miniclick  London to Brighton talk taking place at The Old Market in Brighton on the 21st September 2011, which will include an open panel discussion featuring some of the best photographers in the UK today.

Photography

Posted by — Aurelia Lange

August 2011