Photographer Adam Cohen’s latest project, a collaboration with writer Craig Friedman, blends imagery and words using Internet technology. Their blog, The New American Census, features photographs that capture elements of American culture: two disposable coffee cups, sitting side by side on a stone ledge; a pay phone with a broken receiver; four TV screens, displaying Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden, sinking into a black background. A free-form poem accompanies almost every photograph. The poetry is inspired by the photos, but does not directly describe them.
The blog, subtitled “the first census to sense America,” was launched in December 2009. Cohen and Friedman say the project aims to show life as it is, taking inspiration from the world. It encourages viewers to actively observe their surroundings and question--and struggle with--the images around them. Cohen, who lives in New York City, walks the streets at different times, recording the natural beauty by capturing what is right in front of him. Friedman’s writing offers a deeper perspective on these images and the project.
Cohen, (33) who was born and raised in Israel, began studying photography at WIZO France High School, in Tel Aviv. Currently he lives and works in New York City, and is rarely seen without a camera in hand. According to him, a photographer defies time by freezing it. “A photographer is one who freezes the moment,” he says. “From the harmonious connection I find between time, place, and technique, an image with distinct depth is created.”
Cohen focuses on simple imagery and the power of light. His photos reveal the realness of his subjects and highlight their nuances in an energetic and beautiful manner. His resourceful nature and discerning eye give him insight into his subjects and the ability to connect with individuals and the scenes around him. Whether taken in his studio or elsewhere, Cohen’s photos effectively and accurately record life’s fleeting moments.
Cohen gets most of his inspiration from people. “Human beings are my inspiration,” he says. “I enjoy photographing them in candid moments, as well as in directed studio scenes. I also draw inspiration from the creations of human beings, whether it’s a Coca-Cola can or a muted red cactus.”
Cohen’s work has been shown in New York and Tel Aviv, and was recently part of a group exhibition, Mitsad-Sheni (“From the Other Side”), in Herzliya, Israel, showcasing emerging Israeli artists. In an upcoming exhibition, A Perception, Cohen focuses on one’s perception of an image. Cohen selected ten images that are each printed on translucent slides and installed inside plexiglass. Through this unconventional form of display, and by manipulating the light source for each image, Cohen questions how a person’s mind reacts upon seeing a photo for the first time in a controlled environment.
From A Perception to New American Census, Cohen’s photography varies in style and subject but is always based on the theme of societal and personal observation, a concept which has undoubtedly been influenced by his Israeli background. He says, “Israeli art reveals the world as it is and focuses on blatant, blunt reality. My focus is always on reality, how people view themselves within that reality, and how they see the world at large.”
New American Census deals with these issues. Cohen and Friedman chose the name, in part, to challenge the conventional understanding of a census. By exhibiting scenes that portray life in New York, they aim to add humanity to the census. This project gives adds faces, human interactions and stories to the numbers. Cohen and Friedman are consciously taking note of society. As they “sense” America, they invite viewers to do so, too.
The New American Census photographs clearly illustrate the harmony Cohen describes. These images rely on not only his technique and expertise, but also an active awareness and emotional connection to time and place.
One might guess that at least some of the New American Census pictures were staged and that both artists agree on the photos and text before updating the blog. But the actual process is a little different.
Cohen takes pictures constantly. Every week, he reviews hundreds of photos and sends a selection to Friedman. Friedman then writes a poem to accompany each photo. Craig describes this process as “a single burst of creativity countered by another creative burst. Image to words, words to images. All of this is then published to the most accessible medium available: the Web.”
Cohen sees this blog as an effective way to expose the social-networking generation to fine art, and also as a chance to regularly explore his creative process. Blogging allows, perhaps demands, a kind of experimentation that may not be possible in a gallery show. New American Census pictures can be works in progress and don’t have to follow the style and requirements common in traditional exhibitions.
Blogging also lets Cohen review his work regularly, and reading Friedman’s poetry exposes him to the emotions and ideas his photographs evoke in others. In addition to participating in group art events in the name of New American Census, Cohen and Friedman use Facebook to promote new blog posts. In time they hope to increase their mailing list and solicit feedback.
This fusion of fine art and the Internet is just the beginning. Many artists are promoting their work and improving their skills using the latest Web technologies, including Facebook, Twitter, blogging, and Gmail. These new tools enable artists to frequently update their followers about their most recent work, and also encourage instant feedback. On the Internet, new styles and standards of fine art are being created and accepted. This allows artists to push the limits of contemporary art and redefine what an exhibition is.
Sign up for our newsletter:
