Saudade is a highly poignant photo series, captured by Chicago-based Chinese photographer Amiko Wanjia Li, that aims to capture the delicate stage of life in which one begins to transition from youth to adulthood. The project was borne out of the photographer's long-held fascination with sorrow, fragility, nostalgia and melancholy.
All of the images in the Saudade series have a distinct psychological undercurrent. The word 'Saudade' itself is a Portuguese or Galician word that has no direct English translation. It refers to a deep melancholic longing for some absent person, object or experience, and the repressed knowledge that the object of one's longing is never going to return.
Ultimately, the series is extremely profound even if it is somewhat unsettling.
Melancholic Longing Photos
The 'Saudade' Photo Series Captures Youthfully Melancholic Reflections
Trend Themes
1. Youthful Melancholic Reflections - The Saudade photo series captures the emotions and reflections of young people entering adulthood, presenting opportunities for products and services that cater to their complex emotional needs.
2. Sorrow, Fragility, Nostalgia - The Saudade series explores the themes of sorrow, fragility, and nostalgia, suggesting opportunities for businesses to create experiences or products that tap into these emotions and resonate with consumers.
3. Deep Melancholic Longing - The Saudade project delves into the concept of deep melancholic longing, highlighting potential disruptive innovation opportunities for companies to provide solutions that help people navigate and cope with longing and unfulfilled desires.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - The Saudade photo series demonstrates the power of photography in capturing complex emotions, presenting an opportunity for advancements in photography techniques or services that cater to emotional storytelling.
2. Art - The Saudade project serves as a reminder of art's ability to evoke deep emotions and create meaningful experiences, suggesting opportunities for artists and galleries to explore melancholic themes in their work.
3. Psychology - The Saudade series touches on psychological aspects of longing and nostalgia, pointing to potential innovations in psychology research or therapy approaches to help individuals navigate these complex emotions.