Last Saturday I visited an exhibition in Chelsea which was called Band of Bikers. I have been meaning to see this one for so long. I got the opportunity at the last day of exhibition at Ziehersmith Gallery.
In the basement of a New York apartment an art dealer Scott Zieher had discovered a pile of photographs among the effects of a recently deceased tenant. He had decided to create an exhibition as well as photography book out of it.
There were snapshots of gay bikers from 1962-1972. I was very fascinated by their outfits, smiley faces and the way they partied. Exhibition was very compelling. There had been a subculture in the past and I got to see their lifestyle through snapshots in 2010. I don’t think this leather/bike/gay subculture exists anymore definitely not in NYC.
When I left the gallery I was much moved.
As I walked to the subway, I got to start thinking. The owner of snapshots was already buried to the ground. How ethical and moral was to exhibit these photographs without owner’s knowledge?
Do you think if owner of snapshots still lived today, he would be happy with this show? I would like to think he would be content. (What if he wouldn’t?) I wish he were alive and attended to opening night. It would have been great to see his reaction.
The more I thought about the exhibition, the more I got question. Today everyone posts personal pictures through blogs and facebook. Are we creating subculture history of our own with every single image posted on web?-- Like my blue flower project
50 years from now and when I’m dead, someone could find group of images of blue flower boys create an exhibition and a book. It could be viewed as evidence of a fascinating subculture. Critics would acclaim pictures as masterpieces. Or they could say “What the heck?”
Well! I would love to see that before I pass away. I would love to attend to opening night.. I would die to hear comments, when I’m alive.--As all you know talking behind of someone is still considered as not nice thing to do!
Also be careful with posting your snapshots on facebook and your blog!! You don’t want your shit-face pictures to end up at some Chelsea Gallery in 2099. Pick good looking ones.
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I will leave up to you to judge this exhibition and book, but from my side book is worth to buy. How about you? Would you buy the book and original photographs?
5 TALK TO Z! COMMENT?:
You can always label them "not for public exhibit". That might keep them from showing up in public.
Of course that is why I want to be cremated after I die. I don't want my skull on display in someones office a thousand years from now.
The Biker Community is very much alive on the West Coast, particularly Los Angeles and San Francisco. Some of us still do the wild trips to the great wilderness and party like animals.
the photos are really something! I'd love to see the exhibit.
I love your thoughts on art and the future too. You've touched on the reason I do art and design books. I have a collection of antique books, a few date back to 1800. I can hold them in my hand, and feel and see the same things that someone did 210 years ago. I don't have children, never will, but my name is on my art and in the books I design. Many nights I think about someone 210 years from now, holding one of MY books in his/her hand, and seeing my name and seeing my work. I also think about a show 100 years from now of my artwork. I wonder if future people will 'get' what I was trying to say, or if they'll enjoy them or think they're crap. Very though provoking post, Z!
Actually I was looking your flicker web site yesterday. I thought your artworks were really good. They were very interesting. Especially sailors which your father took the pictures years ago.
Actually I was looking your flicker web site yesterday. I thought your artworks were really good. They were very interesting. Especially sailors which your father took the pictures years ago.
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