Almost Forgotten (2015 - 2024)

 

Self-portrait photographer AnnMarie Tornabene never felt a part of the world she lived in. From an early age, she spent many of her days dreaming of being in fairytales and yearned to live in more romantic, idyllic settings. She longed to find that universe where she could feel a sense of belonging, and it was in places that had evidence of an ancient past that she found peace, solace and beauty within. Being from the United States and growing up in New York, she knew these places didn’t exist. Having moved to France almost 10 years ago, however, she has found these places in abundance.

 

This is also a time where modern technology has created a disconnect from the human spirit and where the idea of the romantic image is slowly disappearing. In addition, as she has seen in this country, the interest in the preservation of tradition and history is waning with each new generation. Because of these reasons, AnnMarie seeks, even more, to find and connect to places and ideals of romanticism. Lastly, while these posed performances seem familiar in a cosplay universe, these images act more as a response to or even documentation of the places she has connected to which helps her in establishing some roots to a world that she finally feels part of.

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AnnMarie has spent almost a decade exploring castles and ruins in ile-de-France and Brittany which has barely “scratched the surface” of this beautiful country where one can find these places at every turn. Perhaps there are more adventures in store for her in the future.