Philip-Lorca diCorcia's 'East of Eden' Exhibition at David Zwirner Explores American Decline

Philip-Lorca diCorcia's fifth solo exhibition at David Zwirner in New York presented his ongoing series 'East of Eden,' which began in 2008 as a response to the financial collapse. The show ran from April 2 to May 2, 2015, at 525 West 19th Street. Featuring 15 large-scale inkjet prints, the work examines national disillusion through staged photographs that evoke biblical themes of guilt and redemption, though these references are subtle. DiCorcia aimed to reveal a scarred America, contrasting outward appearances of neat houses with interior scenes of isolation. The exhibition layout created a solemn atmosphere, with photographs grouped across nine walls in two main rooms and one isolated piece. Specific works like 'Mount Ararat, Pennsylvania' (2012), 'Stockton, California' (2009), 'Lynn and Shirley' (2008), and 'Iolanda' (2011) depict landscapes and figures in moments of tension. DiCorcia noted that the biblical connections might not be obvious without explanation, and the series was first shown at Zwirner's London location in 2013, making this its U.S. debut. The photographs range from sprawling vistas to intimate interiors, using sharp lighting to counter gloom, with titles like 'Cain and Abel' (2013) and 'Abraham' (2010) hinting at obscure narratives. Nature imagery, as in 'Upstate' (2009) and 'Sylmar, California' (2008), underscores the American sublime amidst decay.