Additional Images

Provenance:

Private Collection, Massachusetts

Note:

One of two works by the artist featured in this auction, “Practice Range” is both typical of Cohen’s work (her interest in “found spaces” devoid of human presence) and atypical in that the viewer more or less knows exactly where the image is set. Often, the purpose of Cohen’s rooms are left intentionally vague, asking the viewer to fill in their own set of circumstances. This photograph’s setting is very clearly indicated, but in Cohen’s way, is made peculiar and novel with the use of the very specific targets hung from the ceiling. Unlike a standard range’s use of abstracted and anonymous dummy targets, this image shows us two very particular assailants: a man threatening a child with a knife and a man in a balaclava pointing a rifle. These choices feel deeply personal, perhaps made bespoke for a particular shooter to exorcise some very specific demons. The viewer is, as with all of Cohen’s works, left to draw their own conclusions.

Another print from this edition of ten is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago.