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I'm photographer Karen Jerzyk, and with my trusty time machine, I have gone exactly 1,000 years into the future to document a human astronaut's return to Earth.

Unfortunately, I’m kidding.

The truth is, I bought an authentic vintage high-altitude space suit a few years ago and have traveled with it for thousands of miles around the world taking photos of different people in it (mostly women).

This series is a combination of my love for exploring and the anxiety I get from being around other people. I've felt extremely lonely the past few years, I’m constantly awkward, and I never really feel like I belong in any given situation (especially social situations).

I sometimes feel like I'm traversing this planet alone, with no one else who understands to share it with. I think at one time or another, we can all relate with The Lonely Astronaut - things in life can get bad, but there's still no denying the beauty and wonder of the world, and we need to push on and keep exploring.

More info: karenjerzykphoto.com | Instagram | Facebook

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    #2

    I've Been Documenting A Lonely Astronaut's Return To Earth

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    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think this photo is an allegory for my life. Unfortunately I peeked around the corner so I'm well aware that I'm just staring at a facade.

    #3

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    Person2638
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want to hug the sad little astronaut.

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    #5

    I've Been Documenting A Lonely Astronaut's Return To Earth

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    Daria B
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you catch 7 of the blue ones, you'll get the Saturn Sigil ♥

    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Floating around the room trying to catch the butterflies, but they can outmaneuver you so you can't never actually get one. You can only get frustratingly close.

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    #6

    I've Been Documenting A Lonely Astronaut's Return To Earth

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    Naomi George
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    when your a ballerina but also an astronaut

    Mosheh Wolf
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The House of Cedar and Pine...

    #7

    I've Been Documenting A Lonely Astronaut's Return To Earth

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    Mark
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In space, no one can hear you do the laundry!

    Molly Block
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is the cleanest laundromat I've seen.

    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is so sad. I can't help but thinking about people who started their washing and never came back to put it out of the washing machine. Somehow, this one looks even more lonely and nostalgic than the other ones.

    Susann Campbell
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All the white sock that went missing are now back, go figure.

    #8

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    Susann Campbell
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I see pictures like these from abandon houses, she just needs to take a walk and sure to find a Wall Mart that is open. LOL

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    #9

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    Cute Dog
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one is beautiful. Possibly my favourite so far.

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    #10

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    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *hug* I'll play with you!

    David Kohn
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    gets up (creepy voice) so you wanna play do you

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    #12

    I've Been Documenting A Lonely Astronaut's Return To Earth

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    #13

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    #14

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    Molly Block
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is one ridiculous looking church. I thought it was part of a nuclear facility, and then I saw the wooden uncomfortable pews. Great photo, though, Karen!

    #15

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    Susann Campbell
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Okay Scottie you can Beam me up now, I'm done here."

    Major Houlihan Bear
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Supercreepy! Hello! Norman Bates? R ya home buddy?

    #16

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    Susann Campbell
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fresh flowers? She still has her helmet on.

    Daria B
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe they're the poisonous kind. Ooor... She's just allergic.

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    #17

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    #18

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    Major Houlihan Bear
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. They shot Kennedy when you were orbiting saturn.

    #20

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    #21

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    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In opposite to most of the other ones, this picture emanates with quietness and peace. Although, turning the pages must be very hard in these gloves.

    Susann Campbell
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love this furniture too. I had this color of turquoise on my bedroom wall when I was seventeen.

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    #22

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    #24

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    Night Owl
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These drapes and wallpaper...wow. Are those from the 50s, 60s? It's amazing how much striking the colors are. Like they are almost new and the sunlight (almost) didn't bleach them at all.

    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was an old house, I’m assuming they were original to that time period- maybe the sun doesn’t hit on that side? Definitely strange how brightly colored they still were.

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    gabiru
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really like this one! :)

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    #25

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    #26

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    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Playing in front of an invisible audience...

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    #28

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    #31

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    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Another one that looks suicidal. I know, he most likely just stopped in the air and was looking on something. Still, I am so sorry that he is all alone. I just want to hug him and tell him, that everything will be alright.

    #32

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    Miana Heang
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just want to hug them. I feel really bad for them, and I can tell they are lonely. I feel like this is a metaphor for how lonely we feel at times.

    #33

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    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Waiting for a TV program that will never start... I wonder what is he thinking of? Maybe he is trying to remember how he sat on the sofa with his own family, talking, laughing and watching films?

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    #34

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    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder if it may be his old bedroom. It looks so surreal - even the flowers are still in the vases...

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    #35

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    Enuya
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This terrifies me. It looks like suicide by hanging. What is even worse, if there would be the last person on the Earth, they'd most likely end this way. It would be more loneliness and lack of company than any people could stand. I feel so sorry for him, even though I know it is only a fictional picture.

    #37

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    #38

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    Colleen Cude
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are amazing! Is there anyway to buy the prints?

    Rizi Jackson
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where are you to have such awsome abandoned places to shoot! 😍

    Paul K. Johnson
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Umm... you're back on Earth... you can take of the suit and at least the helmet... except when the giant flies are around. You should probably wear two or three suits and two or three helmets when they are.

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    #39

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