It is quite difficult to find personal examples of shrines within peoples home as firstly, not everybody has one and secondly, it is a very personal thing and not easily accessible to photograph.
Despite this I have found a couple of people who are willing to talk to me about their shrines and let me photograph them.
I am devising interview questions to ask that will help me to understand in more depth why people have them in the home, and what is gained from them specifically in a modern context.
My initial question ideas are:
- Are you a religious person?
- How long have you had your shrine?
- Does it change over time?
- Why did you start it?
- Why are the parts significant to you?
- Where is it in the house and why?
- How does it make you feel?
- Do you interact with the shrine every day?
- If so at what points in the day – is it ritualistic?
- What would it be like if it wasn’t there?
Although I have found some people who are willing to be a part of this project I am concerned with not being able to find enough and a diverse enough range. I feel I will not be able to express the topic well enough through this medium. Therefore, I am now looking at other ways to investigate shrines that will not be inhibited by my ability to access other peoples personal spaces.
At this point I am most interested in the physicality of the shrines and the symbolism of objects. In this respect I feel I can explore the 3D aspect and design of shrines, so instead of photography I am going to use the research I gather to possibly create an installation or model. The interviews will still be a very valid part of my research but will no longer be a final outcome.
The Shrine Project 