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9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
Page 1 of 19https://www.lensculture.com/articles/daniel-coburn-the-hereditary-estate
F E A T U R E
The Hereditary EstateCreated as an antidote to the idealized family pictures gathered by hisrelatives, a striking series that considers the role of the photo album indefining “the American Dream.”
Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn
Dissatisfied with the dearth of photographs depicting his family and the unique (and attimes “troubling”) relationships that define it, photographer Daniel Coburn picked uphis camera and created this series that, in his words, acts as a “potent amendment tothe idealized family album assembled by my family members.”
To wit, Coburn doesn’t shy away from turning his lens towards moments ofvulnerability, awkwardness, or pain. But the striking black-and-white images in hisseries “The Hereditary Estate” are an interesting mix: they are both intimate anddistant—some of the photographs indicate a closeness, a familial attachment that isevident from the outside.
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9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
Page 2 of 19https://www.lensculture.com/articles/daniel-coburn-the-hereditary-estate
Strangely, though, the series also includes a set of images where it seems that thephotographer is straining to understand, to make a connection. The figures in theseshots are physically farther away, sure, but there’s also a palpable thickness in the airbetween us and them. This feeling coagulates into an emotional wall that distances usfrom these people. The strength of “The Hereditary Estate” is partly found in its abilityto embody both feelings of intimate closeness as well as distance—a contradictionpresent in every family.
Figuration © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Even without any prior knowledge of the series, viewers feel that something is amiss—ashadow creeps around the edges of the exchanges and interactions that Coburncaptured on film. “I made these photographs in order to examine the family photoalbum’s role as a visual infrastructure that supports the ideology of the AmericanDream,” he says. “As I became an adult, my parents began to reveal details of a darkfamily history—the evidence of which had been removed and hidden away in thecorners of our family sanctuary.”
Chamber © Daniel Coburn
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Although the specific details of this “dark family history” are never revealed, Coburn’spiercing portraits of his family members create their own quiet narrative of personalconflict. But by keeping all of these secrets and stories untold, Coburn’s images remainrespectful, giving their subjects space when needed, and delving deeper as allowed. “Imade these images in an attempt to honor our relationships and remain true to ourhistory,” Coburn says. His series is an embodiment of these desires: an honest portraitof family dynamics and complexities as well as a tender document of Coburn’srelationships.
—Coralie Kraft
Resurrection © Daniel Coburn
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
Page 5 of 19https://www.lensculture.com/articles/daniel-coburn-the-hereditary-estate
If you’re interested in seeing more work like this, we’d recommend the followingfeatures: This is Not Your Family(https://www.lensculture.com/articles/matt-eich-this-is-not-your-family), Matt Eich’s exploration of the “American condition” and his family; FaultLine (https://www.lensculture.com/articles/sophie-barbasch-fault-line),a series that explores the hidden imperfections and deep-rooted support inherent inevery family; and Sauna: Requiem from the North(https://www.lensculture.com/articles/robert-blomback-sauna-requiem-from-the-north), a poetic series shot in one of Sweden’s remote archipelagos.
Lovers Embrace © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Scattering Seeds © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Ascent © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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The Matriarch © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Taker of Tolls © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Interment © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Dad's Authority © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Thick Skin © Daniel Coburn +
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Panoptic Stain © Daniel Coburn +
9/12/17, 2(58 PMThe Hereditary Estate - Photographs and text by Daniel Coburn | LensCulture
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Judgement Veil © Daniel Coburn +
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Communion © Daniel Coburn +
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