Artist Taryn Simon: The Art of Mourning | Louisiana Channel

“The whole point of loss is it's kind of an unfamiliar experience for anyone.”
Taryn Simon's work explores and exposes the hidden systems, structures, and rituals that shape our human condition. In this interview, the American artist spekas about how loss has become central to her artistic investigation and discusses her collaboration with professional mourners from around the world.
“The idea of people who guide and shape loss and are brought in in this incredibly critical moment and personal and emotional moment, I wanted to explore it, and at one point thought about doing so photographically. Then it became completely clear that it's something that actually cannot be captured in that form, nor would it give it any justifiable presence.”
We met Taryn Simon during the build-up of the sound installation ‘Start Again the Lament’ in Cisternerne, a former underground water reservoir in Copenhagen. Here, the recorded laments of professional mourners reverberate in the enormous water-filled space. Laments, Taryn Simon explains, carry significant critical potential. Not only are they culturally determined manifestations of grief, they also guide us through critical moments of discontent and disorder:
“If you look at the history of professional mourning, it's often been marginalized by different governments and systems because it's a threat to a certain order. The ways in which people and communities respond to loss are extremely important because everything can change in that moment, and it's a threatening space when there's that level of discontent and chaos.”
Taryn Simon (b. 1975) is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans photography, text, sculpture, and performance. Her work uncovers hidden systems and structures, influencing both individual and collective behavior. Simon has exhibited internationally, with notable installations at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate Modern, and the Guggenheim Museum. ‘Start Again the Lament’ continues her exploration of loss and mourning, evolving from previous works such as ‘An Occupation of Loss’ and ‘Laments from Quarantine.’
Taryn Simon was interviewed by Nanna Rebekka at Bakkehuset in Frederiksberg, Denmark, in March 2024.
Producer and editor: Nanna Rebekka
Cinematographer: Jarl Therkelsen Kaldan
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2023 Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Ny Carlsbergfondet, C.L. Davids Fond og Samling, and Fritz Hansen.
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[@charisselouw]

So powerful Literally wading through grief Thank you for this necessary work

[@poigmhahon]

Really interesting artist, I've been deeply transformed by own personal mourning....a subject that is often swept aside and minimized in modern society. Is this exhibit/installation ongoing?

[@hannepiasecki]

it is at Cisternerne 17. marts 2024 - 30. november 2024

[@marymc9601]

Beautiful to return to such deep emotions that are confusing and have become secret, even taboo. Grieving is a personal experience but not having access to others’ experience makes it almost shameful. Watching this dark, moving imagery coupled with the eerie echoing voices brings beauty to a common human experience that has the capacity to bring deep healing instead of crippling us. It must be powerful to experience it live.

[@masterprintmaker]

remember Steven Meisel photographing her and her shooting for Vogue in the 90s .... nice that someone gets so much funding ( probably that's "where the secret goes" )

[@icaprone1]

thank you

[@anitchlikadze3451]

👏👏👏

[@yvonnemaiden4640]

Beautiful…🤍🤍🤍

[@ivanklymenko]

🤩🤩🤩

[@mamumonkan]

Whatever she has photographed, she retouched to death and filed away in cabinets. Everything she has photographed since her early editorials looks dead I can see the grief in her face ( when I turn the sound off ) Maybe this work explains why her work for Gagosian has been looking so dead for so many years. This is an alarm sign !

[@user-ur2wd8du4z]

Love her work but this is no for me.. but kudos for exploring new realms