A New American Portrait at jen bekman

Nearly half of the photographs that make up "A New American Portrait" exclude the subject's face. Deliberate or not, this is a significant feature of a show focused on portraiture as the subject's face must be considered to be the most expressive element of a portrait, particularly the eyes. Is there something evasive, something craving anonymity in the modern American character? Is it an indication of shame? A peculiarly American desire for privacy? It seems strangely counter to the growing exhibitionism I see in American culture today, from the prevalence of pornography to our tabloid addiction to the popularity of My Space and Facebook.

I imagine it could be an accident of selection. The show mixes a few mature artists with others just starting their careers. The younger, less experienced photographers represented here may struggle with confronting a subject harshly, in a frontal assault. The face is a difficult media to mold and the process of portraiture, particularly when it is for the photographer's benefit, not the sitter's, can be an act of theft and violation. But, that's just a guess, primarily driven by comparing these works with the two strong examples from Todd Hido included in the show. Hido's work here, more than the others, demonstrates a connection with the subject as a person and not merely as an atmospheric prop. While the shutter captures just a moment of the session, your imagination immediately goes to work unspooling all the time before and after.

Through Aug 3 at jen bekman
6 Spring St
(212) 219-0166