The Unchosen Ones (4 Years Later)

  • Dates
    2016 - Ongoing
  • Author
  • Location Minnesota, United States

The Unchosen Ones takes place on the sidelines of county fair animal contests in Minnesota in 2016. These county fairs lead up to the Minnesota State Fair, one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world.

One isn’t born a winner or loser, but a chooser. This theme I explore in this series.

As we look at them, they look back, allowing us to think about how we choose winners and the repercussions for the ones not chosen.

The project consists of over 60 portraits made at 10 Minnesota county fairs in 2016. The photographs showcase the subject facing the camera, allowing the viewer to decide what connects and distinguishes these subjects.

With a vantage point straight onto the figures, the direct stance portrayed develops a typology, showcasing individual styles and characteristics. With a serial and systematic approach, the human condition is exposed in real-time.

© R. J. Kern - Kenzi and Hootie, Anoka County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Kenzi and Hootie, Anoka County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Kol and Annabell, Anoka County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Kol and Annabell, Anoka County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Elena with Tiger Lily and Will with Tulip, Isanti County Fair, Minnesota, 2016
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Elena with Tiger Lily and Will with Tulip, Isanti County Fair, Minnesota, 2016

© R. J. Kern - Katherine and Cagney, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Katherine and Cagney, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Gus and Doolittle, Mahnomen County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Gus and Doolittle, Mahnomen County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Carolana and unnamed sheep, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Carolana and unnamed sheep, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Bryce with Freaky Freddy and Nathan with Skittles, Isanti County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Bryce with Freaky Freddy and Nathan with Skittles, Isanti County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Louis and Dumb, Freeborn County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Louis and Dumb, Freeborn County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Audrey and Stella, Carver County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Audrey and Stella, Carver County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Rylee and Nelly, Clay County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Rylee and Nelly, Clay County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Hannah and B, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Hannah and B, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Anna and Helen, Blue Earth County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Anna and Helen, Blue Earth County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Erika and Paint, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016
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Erika and Paint, West Otter Tail County Fair, Minnesota, 2016

© R. J. Kern - Payton and Brutus, Clay County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Payton and Brutus, Clay County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

© R. J. Kern - Shania and Greg, Hubbard County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.
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Shania and Greg, Hubbard County Fair, Minnesota, 2016.

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