These Portraits Juxtapose Swedish and Tanzanian Women in Labor
Charlotte Joyce Kidd — September 25, 2015 — Lifestyle
References: moakarlberg & newyorker
The maternity photos in Swedish photographer Moa Karlberg's series 'Hundred Times the Difference' are vulnerable portraits of women in labor.
While half of the women are in Sweden and half in Tanzania, many of the same emotions and expressions pass across all of the women's faces: pain, excitement, fear, concentration and even sometimes a kind of sensual elation. It's in the women's surroundings -- the beds, the rooms and the other people in the maternity photos -- that viewers must look to find differences. The maternity photos taken in Sweden share a common thread of white sheets, sterile-looking environments and hospital gowns. In many of the Swedish maternity photos, husbands, family members and friends stand close by, holding mothers' hands or offering encouragement. In the Tanzanian portraits, the women are alone, or else there are anonymous onlookers in the background. They're wrapped in patterned blankets and there's no indication that they are in a hospital environment.
The maternity photos aim to showcase the similarities and differences in the birthing process in a first-world versus a third-world country.
While half of the women are in Sweden and half in Tanzania, many of the same emotions and expressions pass across all of the women's faces: pain, excitement, fear, concentration and even sometimes a kind of sensual elation. It's in the women's surroundings -- the beds, the rooms and the other people in the maternity photos -- that viewers must look to find differences. The maternity photos taken in Sweden share a common thread of white sheets, sterile-looking environments and hospital gowns. In many of the Swedish maternity photos, husbands, family members and friends stand close by, holding mothers' hands or offering encouragement. In the Tanzanian portraits, the women are alone, or else there are anonymous onlookers in the background. They're wrapped in patterned blankets and there's no indication that they are in a hospital environment.
The maternity photos aim to showcase the similarities and differences in the birthing process in a first-world versus a third-world country.
Trend Themes
1. Maternity Photography - The rise of maternity photography as a way to capture the vulnerability and emotions of women in labor.
2. Cross-cultural Perspectives on Birth - The exploration of the similarities and differences in birthing experiences in different countries and cultures.
3. Perception of Motherhood - The examination of societal views and expectations surrounding motherhood.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Opportunities for photographers to specialize in maternity photography and capture the raw emotions of women in labor.
2. Travel and Tourism - The development of travel experiences that immerse individuals in cross-cultural birthing rituals and traditions.
3. Healthcare - Innovation in improving the maternity experience, with a focus on creating supportive environments for mothers during labor.
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