"when i grow up"

Murray Hidary's newest series of photographs was commissioned by New York University's Wasserman Center for Career Development. It was conceived specifically for the thousands of students who walk through the facility everyday pondering their careers, dreams, and futures.

In this body of work, Hidary reflects on the quintessential childhood question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" The classic answers posed are all represented by vintage objects and toys (some from the photographer's own childhood) symbolizing those dreams.

Each visual field is both a deconstruction and a reconstruction, encouraging the viewer to ask whether their dream, their passion is becoming a reality or fading away with time.

Paradoxically, by abstracting the form of each subject, the work refocuses our attention on the existential; reminding the viewer to continue to ask that ageless question, "What do I want to be?"

This series is dedicated to the individual. To the passion in each of us and the courage it takes to pursue it.

"when I grow up" is on permanent display at The Wasserman Center for Career Development at New York University in Union Square.