Have you a secret story of a little-known location in PEC?
Perhaps it is an epic historic tale or a very personal recollection, or a singular very human experience? Are you a seasoned storyteller or perhaps the opposite – an introvert who needs that one-on-one security to share an idea or feeling? We need your voice! And very importantly, we need your portrait.
Paul Elter is currently the writer/photographer in residence at the Al Purdy A-frame in Ameliasburgh. As part of his one month stay in PEC, he has committed to creating a one-time photo book, gathering peoples’ stories, experiences and fictions from the PEC area, including any and all tall-tales, or interesting side notes you might have had with the poet, Al Purdy himself. Using one of his favourite mediums for visual poetry, Wetplate Collodion Photography, he makes individual photographic images, hand-poured and on the spot with real silver, directly onto glass or metal – as they did 170 years ago when this process was invented. It is a fascinating experience for anyone to see and participate in – part of the charm and very special character of the final image.
Silver Tongued is a tribute to the writer and poet Al Purdy. As part of this project, Mr. Elter wants to meet with local folk and record their voices telling an important story. In exchange, together you will create a portrait, using this process – stories in exchange for a portrait, a copy of which each participant will receive. The land around Prince Edward County as it is called now, has a long storied history, as both a gathering/hunting/fishing place and a place between large centers of commerce and trade, a resting place, not a capitol but an in-between, a healing ground. The project revolves around storytelling and how it has a potential for truth, wisdom and healing. The hand-poured nature of the process shows the serendipity of time, location and season affect their influences directly upon each and every plate, and consequently each and every sitter. DNA of the location and environment get trapped into the emulsion and are forever locked within the image until the end of time.
Paul has partnered with the County Museums and Library branches to set up all day in various locations to meet people, gather stories and make images, embedding them in collodion and silver – see the dates below for when he will be in your community. In order to have your image made and included in the book, you must provide 3 things:
1. Your name.
2. A short story. It could be a personal recollection, a truth, a fiction, a combination of the two or perhaps a little-known history of the location we are currently in.
3. Sign a model release.
Please direct any questions to Paul at paul@elter.ca or visit his website to read his blog or see examples of his work.
Remaining Museum Dates:
Mariners – June 27th
