Dana Hoey (American, born 1966)
*Coffee,* 1996
Chromogenic development print
Edition 1 of 3
Image: 20 1/4 x 16 1/4 inches
Mount: 27 x 23 inches
Gift of Dr. Marsha Gordon, 2004.28
Courtesy of the Norton Museum of Art

Written by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao

Photo Edited by Haley Winchell

Copy Edited by Kee’nan Haggen

Photographs can immortalize fleeting moments, capturing raw emotions and relationships that make us human. Photography has chronicled human connections with candid family portraits and elaborate wedding photos. The latest exhibition at Norton Museum of Art, Akin: Capturing Human Intimacy and Tenderness, celebrates the universality of human connections and offers around 30 photographs spanning over a century.

Unknown Photographer (19th century)
*Untitled,* 1880
Tintype
4 3/8 x 5 1/2 inches
Gift of Diane and David Greene in honor of our son Lee R. Greene, 2005.19
Courtesy of the Norton Museum of Art

The collection elegantly portrays the transformative power of intimacy in shaping our interpersonal relationships through various photographers’ lenses, and each work tells its unique story. The exhibition showcases the diverse ways photographers have sought to capture the essence of human intimacy over the years by presenting a wide range of photographic styles and techniques. From 19th-century tintype family portraits, an early photographic process that captures images on glass plates, to abstract greenish dye transfer prints depicting Mother & Son, films, and digital photography. The works exhibited provide a splendid and multilayered view of different personal relationships and intimacies across time. The images' subtle, almost ephemeral quality evokes a sense of timelessness, transporting the viewer back to a bygone era while underscoring the enduring nature of human connections.

Henry Holmes Smith (American, 1909-1986)
*Mother & Son,* 1950-1970
Dye transfer print
Image: 9 1/8 x 6 1/4 inches
Mat: 18 x 14 inches
Gift of Eric Martz, 2019.5
Courtesy of the Norton Museum of Art

These photographs may seem conventional, but they are imbued with a quiet power inviting closer examination. Interspersed among these are abstracted figurations that offer a unique perspective on human connection. The photograph, with its distorted forms and ambiguous setting, speaks to the transcendent nature of companionship, emphasizing intimacy can be found in any unexplained places.

Despite the diverse range of subjects, styles, and periods, the photographs share a common thread: human intimacy's powerful, transformative influence. The exhibition challenges viewers to reflect on the nature of their relationships, encouraging them to cherish the bonds that bring them closer to one another. By showcasing an impressive array of photographs from the museum’s permanent collection, this exhibition highlights the enduring importance of intimacy in shaping our interpersonal relationships.

Lyle Ashton Harris (American, born 1965)
*Brotherhood, Crossroads and Etcetera, I,* 1994
Duraflex Silver halide print
56 x 45 inches
Purchase, acquired through the generosity of the 2017-2018 Photography Committee, 2018.28
Courtesy of the Norton Museum of Art

Tina Barney (American, born 1945)
*The Wedding Portrait,* 1993
Chromogenic development print
Image: 10 3/8 x 13 3/16 inches
Mat: 16 x 20 inches
Purchase, acquired through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. James D. Burke, 2001.42
Courtesy of the Norton Museum of Art

In today’s fast-paced world, human connections are more important than ever. Amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, we sometimes overlook the significance of the relationships we forge and maintain. Akin: Capturing Human Intimacy and Tenderness is a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of our relationships, urging us to appreciate the moments of genuine connection that define our lives. The exhibition invites us to consider photography's role in our lives, not merely as a form of artistic expression but as a means to create, preserve, and celebrate the connections that bind us. As we explore the photographs on display, we are reminded of the importance of capturing and cherishing the moments of intimacy and tenderness that define our existence, ensuring they are not lost to the sands of time.

For more information, visit the Norton Museum of Art’s website.