Alec Soth’s I Know How Furiously Your Heart is Beating is an introspective journey into human interiors and personal spaces, created between 2017 and 2019. At this stage of his career, Soth’s work had evolved from large, thematic projects like Sleeping by the Mississippi and Songbook into something more intimate and contemplative. This series represents his return to photographing people after a year-long hiatus, during which he reflected deeply on the ethics of portraiture and the nature of human connection.
Contextually, the series emerges in an era of increasing social distance, both literally and metaphorically. While these images predate the COVID-19 pandemic, they resonate with themes of isolation and separation. Soth’s contemplation of solitude and connection is framed by a world increasingly distanced, yet his images offer quiet moments of shared presence. The title, drawn from Wallace Stevens’ poem The Gray Room, speaks to this duality of emotional distance and closeness, encapsulating the photographer’s struggle to reconcile the external with the internal.
The key themes of the series revolve around introspection, solitude, and the nuanced relationship between people and their environments. Soth’s images do not seek to explain his subjects; instead, they allow viewers to contemplate the delicate boundary between photographer and subject, proximity and separation. His decision to photograph people in their own homes reflects an exploration of space not just as a backdrop but as an extension of the subjects themselves, offering clues to their identity while maintaining a respectful distance.
Visually, Soth’s aesthetic is characterized by soft, natural lighting and careful attention to detail. His use of color enhances the contemplative nature of the images, with muted tones lending an air of tranquility. Each composition feels deliberate, with subtle cues—a half-open door, a window reflecting light—suggesting both openness and barriers. The images evoke a stillness that invites viewers to pause and reflect, making the photographs feel less like snapshots and more like meditative studies of presence.
Technically, Soth employed a large-format camera, which required his subjects to remain still for extended periods. This approach slowed down the process of image-making, reinforcing the project’s contemplative nature. The camera’s shallow depth of field and sensitivity to light lend an ethereal quality to the portraits, where minute details, like the folds of fabric or the texture of skin, draw the viewer in.
Critically, I Know How Furiously Your Heart is Beating has received attention for its exploration of human vulnerability and the nuanced relationships it portrays. It represents a significant shift in Soth’s body of work, reflecting a more personal, introspective approach to portraiture. Exhibitions at Magnum Gallery Paris (2019–2020), FOAM, Amsterdam (2020), Arendt House, Luxembourg (2020–2021), and Cortona On The Move, Italy (2021) broadened its audience.
