Katalin Pusztaszeri

The Pianist's Dream series was created between 2018 and 2019. This is my first series based on fictional images, evoking life events from the past and present of an 87-year-old retired pianist whom I had the chance to meet and speak with during the creation of this project.

Throughout the series, the present and past pulse together in surreal, dreamlike sequences. Fond memories and traumatic events intertwine, with blurry images juxtaposed against sharp, thorny details. Obscurity and harsh light alternate, reflecting the contrast between memory and reality.

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Some images reflect the current living conditions and private surroundings of this fallible elder, highlighting the often unseen side of agedness. Through my lens, I aimed to re-envision her faded memories in symbolic form, contrasting them with her impoverished present. My images deeply explore the challenges a childless elderly person may face in everyday life: solitude, helplessness, isolation, and declining health. The lady’s face and identity remain hidden, intentionally preserving her privacy and inviting viewers to see beyond the individual to the universal aspects of aging.