Grilova Domačija

In midsummer days, at the end of June of 2021, when the sun is at it is highest peak I took my camera and wetplate chemistry bottles to recreate the story of old Slovenian farmers’ house and surroundings. Looking 150 years back to the Gril’s homestead (Grilova Domačija, Velenje, Slovenia) when it was built as a small winemaking house on a slope. The south facing geographic location was very suitable for grapevine growing. But due to insect pest - phylloxera occurrence all grapevines were removed and winemaking houses transformed into small farmers’ homesteads, some kept bees, grew fruits, vegetables and herbs for treating casual illnesses and medical conditions. It is believed that the medicinal plants, foraged at the midsummer have greater healing qualities. The series was made with wetplate collodion technique which date the same 150 years as the Gril’s homestead. All plants gathered and photographed at true midsummer - June 24th - 25th.