Dan Nelken

December 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005

Dan Nelken poetically captures the essence of rural life through portraits of those participating in annual county fair events. Entitled, “Till the Cows Come Home,” Nelken’s series of county fairs across New York state reflect family-based farming struggling to promote its relevancy in rural communities and hold onto a disappearing cultural lifestyle. He writes, “The stories of the participants are at the heart of this project. In one short week, a yearlong commitment culminates an exhaustive and explosive outlet of self-expression. Weariness, elation, humility, humor, camaraderie, pride, and disappointment are lashed together as readily as any oxen team. As family farms disappear, what remains of their value system appears stronger than ever. My portraits are intended to reflect the passion of this culture.”