Taryn Simon on 'The Game': Photography, Democracy, and Distraction

Photography as a Lens on Democracy

• 📸 Taryn Simon uses a meticulous approach to fine art photography to explore the symbolism and structures within democracy.
• 💡 Her exhibition "The Game" examines symbolic moments from the US presidential election, questioning the random nature of democratic processes.

The Role of Distraction in Politics

• 🍟 Simon highlights how distractions capture public attention, diverting focus from what truly matters in elections, using a McDonald's publicity stunt as an example.
• 🎭 This "stagecraft of power" entertains and shifts focus, with distractions collectively assembling results that can seem disconnected from reality.

Randomization and Decision-Making

• 🎲 The Claritarian, an interactive installation, is based on a machine devised to create a non-corruptible system for early democracy.
• 🗳️ It explores how decisions are made and alternative methods, imagining a system where any citizen could enter a slot and be randomly selected for leadership or jury duty.

Brexit and the Weight of Votes

• ✉️ Simon's film "Haring Gay Ballot Count" captures the counting of ballots for the Brexit referendum, highlighting the repetitive gesture and mundane setting of this significant act.
• ⚖️ The seemingly weightless paper ballots contrast with the profound and lasting impact of the results, regardless of underlying motivations like economic interest or nationalism.

The Nature of Societal Models and Research

• 🤔 Simon grapples with questions of individual identity, decision-making, and how we structure our world, viewing societal assumptions as malleable imaginations.
• 🗂️ Her work involves extensive research and administrative tasks, emphasizing the importance of texts that explore gray spaces, conflict, and questioning beliefs.

Grief, Loss, and Global Mourning

• 💔 Her previous project "An Occupation of Loss" documented professional mourners and rituals surrounding grief.
• 🌍 The COVID-19 pandemic brought a global mourning on an accelerated scale, prompting reflection on how different cultures process loss and vulnerability.

The Proliferation of Images and AI

• 📱 The constant influx of images from smartphones creates a "third skin," freezing moments and creating a duality between reality and fiction.
• 🤖 With the rise of artificial intelligence, Simon acknowledges the potential for manipulation but hopes that awareness will foster critical thinking about images and information.