The influence of a surname. Work of photographer Daniel Cohen and journalist Mischa Cohen
The influence of a surname. This exhibition, the work of photographer Daniel Cohen and journalist Mischa Cohen, focuses on the question of how much a person's identity and image are shaped by a chance characteristic like a surname. Few names leave such a profound mark on their bearers as 'Cohen' (meaning 'priest'), the ultimate Jewish surname. How do other Cohens relate to their name in 2011? Daniel and Mischa uncovered the personal stories of 25 of their namesakes in Amsterdam, interviewing and photographing them against the backdrop of their city. They interviewed women, men, Orthodox Jews, agnostics, pro-Palestinians, Israelis, Jews, and non-Jews from three different generations. A selection of photographic portraits with quotes from the interviews is on display at the exhibition My Name is Cohen.