“I Am My Family: Photographic Memories and Fictions” by Rafael Goldchain

• I Am My Family: Photographic Memories and Fictions*, a reconstructed family album created by Toronto-based artist Rafael Goldchain, is one of the most multi-layered, engaging, photographic books I have come across in along time. It contains an introduction by art historian and author Martha Langford, a statement by the artist and 56 plates of portraits, in each of which the artist, appropriately and professionally made-up and costumed, photographs himself posing as one of his ancestors or relatives. There is also an appendix containing examples of project sketchbooks, production stills from the photography sessions, charts of the Goldchain family tree and historic photographs of some of the family members Goldchain has chosen to recreate…