The Anonymous Project: secret snapshots of family life
- Text by Huck
- Photography by Courtesy of The Anonymous Project
The Anonymous Project began with an innocuous purchase on eBay. Having always found the imperfect nature of amateur photography somewhat endearing, filmmaker Lee Shulman decided – spontaneously – to buy a collection of 35mm Kodachrome slides online.
When the set eventually arrived at his front door, Shulman discovered that it consisted of anonymous family photos, taken over 70 years ago. With each slide, he found himself transfixed, learning more and more about the family in question. It didn’t take long for him to realise that he’d struck gold. “The intimate nature of the images are just extraordinarily emotional, powerful and touching,” he remembers. “I was instantly hooked.”
Having settled on the aforementioned title for the project, he built a website and began posting the images online, where they proved an instant hit. Just over two years later, and Shulman has amassed an archive of 800,000 slides.
“I think that we can see ourselves in many of these images, and though they come from another time we have all shared these type of moments of family life,” he says. “It’s the imperfections that make them so endearing. These moments of unadulterated life, caught in stunning Kodachrome, is what makes them so unique.”
A new exhibition, titled The House, sees Shulman collaborating with Emmanuelle Halkin to illustrate the timelessness of his collection. Showing at Les Rencontres d’Arles, it hones in on the domestic lives of those depicted. “The intimate nature of the images gives us a privileged look into the ordinary lives of family life – that’s what makes them so fascinating.”
Be it couples sneaking a kiss on the sofa, or a relative reciting a joke at an extended gathering, the scenes captured in The Anonymous Project radiate warmth. For Shulman, it’s about immortalising the moments that we often take for granted: ones of shared humanity, where everyone is together.
“When I look at these images I feel that all these people pictured are part of my extended family,” Shulman says. “This collective memory belongs to us all and its so precious. In a time where divisions and politics are driving people apart I hope that we can reflect on what its means to be part of one big family.”
For more information on The Anonymous Project, visit the official website.
The House is showing at Les Rencontres d’Arles until 22 September, 2019. A book, published by Taschen, is coming soon.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
In photos: Black Texas life since emancipation
Kinship & Community — A new photobook and exhibition showcases the rich culture, history and community of African American folks in the Lone Star State, whose existence in the region predates colonial Britain.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Youthful joy & end-of-era poignancy at a London school prom
Leavers — For several years, Lewis Khan documented young people as they celebrated the last of their school days and the completion of their exams. The series is now collated in a new self-published photobook and short film.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
Harry Gruyaert’s vintage, kaleidoscopic scenes of New York
A Sense of Place — For 50 years, the Belgian photographer and Magnum Photos member has been capturing NYC’s colourful chaos. A new photobook and exhibition showcase his unique, technicolour view of the city.
Written by: Miss Rosen
In the pit at one of the UK’s last stock car & banger speedways
Stock Car Racing Isn’t Dead — Photographer Liam McCarthy spent time in and around the Arlington Raceway’s circuit, capturing the diehard community that keeps the sport alive.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Inside Lower Duck Pond, the nicest town on the internet
/r/HaveWeMet — With a population of 2,500 and no fixed location, the subreddit is a space for roleplaying citizens to solve mysteries, host fictional events and ultimately connect. In an internet that’s often divided and toxic, Vicky Jessop hangs out in one of its most wholesome corners.
Written by: Vicky Jessop
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
