Euphoria
Artist's Statement:
The Oxford English Dictionary defines 'Euphoria' as “a feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.” It traces usage of this term in the English language to the late 17th century, when it had the sense of “well-being produced in a sick person by the use of drugs.” This word came to English via Latin from the Greek word ‘euphoros’: ‘borne well, healthy’; which itself was a compound of ‘eu,' meaning “well,” and ‘pherein’: “to bear.”
Synonyms include: “elation, happiness, joy, joyousness, delight, glee, excitement, exhilaration, animation, jubilation, exultation.”
Built into the idea of Euphoria is the notion that it is temporary. No one feels this way all of the time. It is induced by some external circumstance. Something makes us feel good for a moment, better than how we usually feel.
It could be the result of all the extra attention a youngster receives during a party to celebrate their birthday:
Key Words: Portraits, Family portraits, Cousins, Girls, Americans, Filipinas, Mestizas, Birthdays, Birthday parties, Birthday cakes
Location: Davenport, Iowa, USA
Alexa Baumann and Bella Rosario celebrating Bella’s birthday, Davenport, Iowa, September 1, 2002 (Photo by Rachel Rosario Baumann)
Or a joyful moment shared between a mother and child:
Key Words: Portraits, Family portraits, Mothers and daughters, Americans, Filipinas, Women, Mestizas, Girls, Orchards, Apples, Autumn
Location: Champaign, Illinois, USA
Amilia Zdenahlik and Michelle Rosario at Curtis Orchard, Champaign, Illinois, October 8, 2011 (Photo by Bryan E. Hebeler)
Dianne Canicosa works as a cashier at Maligaya’s, a Filipino grocery store in Champaign. She doesn’t smile like this all of the time. But at this moment, in front of the camera, she expressed a pure sense of joy and happiness that comes with being young and healthy.
Key Words: Portraits, Teenagers, Women, Filipinas
Location: Champaign, Illinois, USA
