A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters was created by artist Taryn Simon. The collection was produced over a four-year period in which Simon gathered information about various bloodlines, families and their history. She photographed the generational gaps between the family members and recorded the stories of over eighteen families.
With each of the eighteen families, Simon explored the many external and internal forces that affect families, power, circumstances, money, religion and their affects. Many of the families that were showcased in this exhibition were destroyed by psychological and physical inheritance. The families interviewed for the project included feuding families, victims of genocide and other heavy subject matters that include rape and murder. Simon was looking to map the relationships of blood and chance and what makes a family what it is.
Descendent Display Charts
'A Living Man Declared Dead and Other Chapters' Records Bloodlines
Trend Themes
1. Visual Family History - The trend of visually documenting family history through photography and storytelling creates an opportunity for innovative platforms and services to help individuals and families preserve and share their narratives.
2. Exploring Lineage Influences - The trend of exploring the external and internal forces that shape family dynamics opens up opportunities for research and counseling services to help individuals better understand and navigate their familial relationships.
3. Art as Catalyst for Truth - The trend of using art as a medium to address heavy subject matters and provoke societal conversations presents opportunities for artists and organizations to create impactful and thought-provoking exhibitions that challenge existing narratives.
Industry Implications
1. Genealogy and Family Heritage - The genealogy and family heritage industry can leverage the trend of visual family history to develop innovative products and services for individuals seeking to connect with their ancestral roots.
2. Psychology and Family Therapy - The psychology and family therapy industry can capitalize on the trend of exploring lineage influences to offer specialized counseling and treatment programs that address family dynamics and inheritances.
3. Contemporary Art and Exhibition - The contemporary art and exhibition industry can embrace the trend of art as a catalyst for truth to curate immersive and meaningful experiences that engage audiences and spark important conversations about social issues.