Fotografiska New York mounts exhibit surveying three decades of Bruce Gilden’s work
Today, Fotografiska New York invites the public to WHY THESE? an exhibition of Bruce Gilden’s favorite work from 1979. The show will run until September 2024, after which it will head to Fotografiska locations in Tallinn, Estonia and Stockholm, Sweden for the rest of the year and early 2025.
Envisioned as a tour of the American street photographer’s fruitful career, the exhibit showcases 45 photos handpicked by Gilden himself. Among these are 20 iconic snaps from his major projects in New York, Coney Island, Haiti, and Tokyo.
A number of features make Why These? a must-visit for both street photography enthusiasts and long-time fans of Gilden’s work. Visitors will be treated to 25 large-scale prints of his work in full color, a nod to his 2013 shift to digital color. The exhibit also features some of Gilden’s latest portrait work, including those from last year. Many of these are also showcased for the first time.
Copyright ⓒ Bruce Gilden
“Bruce’s work is raw, candid, entertaining and insightful – a true documentarian of the human condition,” said Jessica Jarl, Global Exhibitions Director at Fotografiska. “As a native New Yorker, it is only fitting to have his global tour begin right here. Hand-picked by Bruce himself, Why These? gives us an inside look at his creativity, process and inspirations as one of the most brilliant street photographers of our time.”
Brooklyn-born and lifelong New Yorker Gilden began his photography adventure with a Miranda camera, which he bought for himself in 1968 and taught himself how to use over the next year. What started out as observing the city’s “tough guys” from his home’s second floor window eventually evolved into telling his own visual story of Brooklyn and its interesting inhabitants.
As an iconic street photographer whose works are easily recognizable, Gilden’s signature confrontational style and use of flash has enabled him to portray his subjects as “characters” against the backdrop of gritty urban life. In the process, he shines a light on humanity’s flaws, oddities, and imperfections instead of shying away from them.
“This is me, Bruce Gilden,” he noted on the exhibit. “I want to show the viewers where I started and where I am now. Take it or leave it!”
Fotografiska will present special programs for visitors and members, including a walking tour of Coney Island (where Bruce Gilden started his first project in 1969), a photo portrait studio event with the photographer, additional artist talks, and other activities. These are all part of the museum’s summer-long celebration of street photography through events and other ongoing exhibitions.
Visit the Fotografiska New York website for more information on Why These? and their other ongoing and upcoming exhibitions.
You might also like
Leave a comment