Taryn Simon published in 2007 the result of four years’ work with her new series ‘An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar’, which has been exhibited at the Whitney Museum in New York, The Photographers’ Gallery in London, and at the MMK in Frankfurt. Documenting an unpredictable range of sites and institutions that are not commonly accessible, Simon reveals issues and power structures at the heart of the American mythology in her carefully staged and visually stunning photographs. Touching upon subjects within the realms of science, government, medicine, entertainment, nature, security, and religion, she offers a surprising and often surreal if not downright disturbing view of the underside of Western civilization. ‘An American Index’ ranks easily among the most exciting artworks of the decade.

With mono.kultur, Taryn Simon talked about the long and strenuous process behind ‘An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar’, her ambivalent notion of photography and why she feels less secure in the USA than ever before.

In the spirit of Simon’s work, this issue comes with the images in a separate envelope and requires some manual labour on your behalf – it’s fun, though.

Interview by Kai von Rabenau / Photography by Taryn Simon / Design by Maayan Malka

“I’m amazed. The issue is beautiful – such a strong concept and perfectly executed. I never have this response to printed matter beyond my control. Thanks so much for taking such care with the work. I love it.”
— Taryn Simon