Deutsches Haus at NYU presents the exhibition opening of Dirk Anschütz’s “Fathers & Sons,” a long-term portraiture project with images created all over the United States. In his portraits, Dirk Anschütz showcases what fatherhood and masculinity can look like and how these concepts have expanded and changed over time. The opening will include an artist talk with the photographer. The exhibition will remain on view through August 30.

Artist Statement “Fathers & Sons”:

“I am the father of a boy and the only child of a single mom. I’ve never met my dad. I’ve been travelling around the U.S. to take portraits of fathers and sons from many different cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. The different ways you can grow up in this country are pretty astounding but many challenges for fathers and sons and the love between them are still the same.

The most basic role of a father is to protect his child while also allowing the kid to learn and grow by failing and getting hurt (but not too much). It’s a constant balancing act preaching caution and abandon. On top of that there’s the expected guidance in inter-personal, scholastic, tech-related, sexual, and financial behavior. Plus installing a basic value system for dealing with a constantly changing world. What could possibly go wrong?

Obviously, the father-son-relationship is incredibly influential for both. Many times, a son will follow in his dad’s footsteps, and most dads have to make big life changes to accommodate their children. Children might have to return the favor when their parents grow old.

In big parts of our society, views of fatherhood and manhood are shifting. A man’s role in his family and at work is being fundamentally reexamined and expanded. This creates new opportunities but also new responsibilities and anxieties. Often a development towards new tolerance also leads to a bitter pushback on a private and political level. Meanwhile the way we as men are interacting with the rest of humankind is often deeply influenced by the father-son relationship.

I’ve tried to capture all of these themes in my images. But the glue that holds everything together is the love between a parent and a child. It’s primal and fundamental. If it’s not there for whatever reason, it’s probably hard to have a good lifelong relationship and it’s probably hard for the child to develop all the tools needed for a good life. If the love is there, there’s a good chance it will carry father and son through all their difficulties and shortcomings. Probably everybody who had a child can recall the feeling when your baby’s lying on your chest. It’s glorious and terrifying all at the same time and it really changes your life forever.” (Dirk Anschütz)

Date and Time: Thursday, June 12, 6:00-8:00pm

Location: Deutsches Haus at NYU, 42 Washington Mews, New York, NY 10003

More Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/exhibition-opening-dirk-anschuetzs-fathers-sons-tickets-1344166731879?aff=oddtdtcreator