DEAD IN BLACK & WHITE

1981 'Ghosts & Gun' 127 Kodak Brownie, silver halide

The collective consciousness of Halloween has a worldwide history

In Latin American countries, the living welcome the dead.  The Celtics believed that the gate to fairyland opened for mortals on Halloween night. As early as the 15th century, Fairies (gods reduced to small supernatural imps) were reported to visit humans. Humans could then enter the fairy realm and never leave. Western Europe had different reason to celebrate. In the 1600s London survived a plot to blow up the House of Lords. to celebrate the memory of this evening, People dressed as victims of the explosion with bonfires symbolizing the explosion, Kids dressed in rags with smeared charcoal on their faces. They would celebrate by going from house to house offering a performance, offering  a 'trick, in exchange for a 'treat' (Does that sound familiar?).

In the mid-1800s, the potato famine led to the emigration of over a million immigrants to America. Settlers from several countries brought beliefs about Halloween. America paid no mind to historical reasons behind this occasion called 'Halloween', but continued a celebration in true american fasion and capitilized on this oppertunity.

under a more enlightened context, the celebration of halloween in america represents a time that people are united by a shared sense of fun and celebration, regardless of color, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. People portray news stories,  current events, or storybook characters . on Halloween in america, we declare or independence to or from enforced or suggested beliefs.