Hidden and in plain view: considering Taryn Simon’s Index
Taryn Simon, An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar, installation view at CCP, 2010. photo: Tracey Hubert Taryn Simon is represented by Gagosian Gallery, New York
Inspired by rumours of WMDs and secret sites in Iraq, American photographer Taryn Simon decided to address secret sites in her own country. For An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar 2006, Simon photographed hidden places and things within US borders. Her subjects range across realms of science, government, medicine, entertainment, nature, security, and religion. As Australians, what do we make of Simon’s America, are we both intrigued and repelled? While this series has been described as the ‘aesthetic antithesis of photojournalism’ Simon draws upon traditions of documentary photography to create this disorienting image of contemporary America.
Venue: Centre for Contemporary Photography, 404 George St, Fitzroy, Vic 3065.
Date: Thursday 25th November 6:15pm.
Enquiries: T + 61 3 9417 1549 E info@ccp.org.au W www.ccp.org.au
From disciplines of law, criminology and documentary photography, academics Sundhya Pahuja and Alison Young, and curator Kyla McFarlane reflect on Taryn Simon’s work. Chaired by Naomi Cass.
Dr Kyla McFarlane, Associate Curator, Centre for Contemporary Photography
Associate Professor Sundhya Pahuja, Melbourne Law School, Director, Law and Development Research Programme, Institute for International Law and the Humanities, University of Melbourne
Professor Alison Young, Criminology Discipline, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne
Chaired by Naomi Cass, Director, Centre for Contemporary Photography
Entry by gold coin donation. Seating is limited. No bookings.