Physalis peruviana lattern
2019
2019
In the Northeast of my hometown, there is a fruit commonly known as Gu Niao
(Physalis peruviana lattern’s name in China)
. Its
appearance is a golden fruit wrapped in thin leaves. The adults in my hometown will teach
children a special way to eat it, that is, peel off the fruit first, squeeze the fruit until it is
soft but not broken, then poke a hole in the bottom with a toothpick, and squeeze out all
the seeds and juice inside. Because the skin of the fruit has its own toughness, after the
inside is hollowed out, air can be blown in through the hole, turning Gu Niao
into a small
golden lantern.
I rarely go back to my home town because it wasn't where I grew up, but it was where the rest of my family grew up. So it's amazing that even though I had very few memories of being there, when I go back there is still a strong sense of belonging. Although Gu Niao is just a kind of fruit, it connects my life with the impression and familiarity of my hometown.
Everyone in my matrilineal family went back to my hometown for dinner. Mother and grandma helped the 90-year-old great-grandmother out of the restaurant
In my memory, I have returned to my hometown twice. The first time was when I was very young and I only have fragmentary memories. But my mother and grandma were born and raised in this land, and their sense of belonging is stronger than mine. Although I have no impression of my hometown, I can feel more and more closeness to my hometown from the time I get along with my mother and grandma. For example, at home, grandma and mother will also put various protective covers on the furniture at home.
The chairs in the hotel are woven into beautiful protective covers with wool
The blood relationship is integrated and connected through food, and it is mixed with the
country life exuding the fragrance of soil and grass. The sense of belonging is like this
inflated little lantern full of breath, which seems to have no content, but becomes
extremely real with the real breath and emotional connection.
Mom and sister blowing the already hollow Physalis peruviana lattern
hometown memories
Because I was a child who grew up in the city, the atmosphere of the city in my hometown is completely different from the atmosphere of the place where I grew up. The bustling traffic and high-rise buildings I am familiar with are rarely seen here, but the early morning market is full of people. In this group of photos recalling my hometown, I used highly saturated colors to express my impression of my hometown: fresh, bright, and full of vivid life.
