A Moment in Time
The People of Little Italy in 1976
Artist Talk and Photographic Exhibition by
Stephen Nadler
You are cordially invited to attend an artist talk and to view the exhibition, A Moment in Time: The People of Little Italy in 1976, by photographer Stephen Nadler, this Thursday evening July 16th at the Italian American Museum.
Artist's Statement:
In 1976, I spent one year photographing the neighborhood known as Little Italy and the people who lived there.
I visited the area on Saturdays and over a period of several weeks I became friendly with John Esposito, the owner of the butcher shop on Mulberry Street. John introduced me to many of his customers, including his brothers Carmine and Tony. I photographed them, as well as his grandson Michael. Since many of the neighbors knew each other, word soon spread that I was photographing people, and that led to many more opportunities for me. On occasion my 3 year old son would accompany me, his presence also helped break the ice.
Photo essays begin one way and end another. As you learn about a subject your perspective changes and that allows for a richer experience. I started out thinking only about photographing the physical area and wound up making friends and hearing wonderful stories. I think the reason I was so drawn to this neighborhood and its people is that it felt very much like my old neighborhood. Hanging out there brought back so many wonderful memories of my youth, spent on street corners, with my friends watching the world stroll by.
My desire is to share that moment in time through these images. I hope that the viewers smile when they see them. The faces are universal, so you may find, they remind you of people in your own lives.
As I walk through this neighborhood today, I see many of the physical changes that have taken place. Meeting with the children of these subjects I realize that the warmth and friendliness that their parents showed lives on in them and their friends. What a special place this is.
My camera of choice was a Mamiya C330 with a 2 ¼ format. The images you see have been digitized and printed on Canson Platine Fibre Rag photographic paper with Epson Ultrachrome K3 ink.
Thursday, July 16, 6:30 P.M.
Italian American Museum
155 Mulberry Street
(Corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets)
New York, NY 10013
Suggested donation of $10 per person
RSVP Code: LittleItaly0716
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Italian American Museum at 212.965.9000
or
Email: ItalianAmericanMuseum@gmail.com
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