The photographer duo Adam Broomberg and Olivier Chanarin were born to Jewish families that emigrated to South Africa. They met as young men in Johannesburg, when they worked on editorial and photography at COLORS magazine. Aside from their similar backgrounds, they soon realized they also had similar world views. Both were committed to dismantling clichés about photography, and their travels together produced works that move between ethnography and conceptual art. The duo captured violence, accidents, war, and torture, but always with characteristic Broomberg & Chanarin clarity and neutrality. This year, the two announced their decision to separate professionally—hence the “Late Estate” in the title of this exhibition. As happens in many relationships, it was time for the artists, Broomberg told The Art Newspaper, “to individuate.” Chanarin said, “A partnership and a friendship has died.” The pair’s first major museum retrospective may well be their last. —E.C.

The Late Estate of Broomberg & Chanarin
Fábrica de Creación Fabra y Coats
Carrer de Sant Adrià, 20, 08030 Barcelona, Spain
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