Description
Book Synopsis: Powerful, lyrical and controversial, Alvin Baltrop's photographs are a groundbreaking exploration of clandestine gay culture in New York in the 1970s and 80s. During that era, the derelict warehouses beneath Manhattan's West Side piers became a lawless, forgotten part of the city that played host to gay cruising, drug smuggling, prostitution and suicides. Baltrop documented this scene, unflinchingly and obsessively capturing everything from fleeting naked figures in mangled architectural environments to scenes of explicit sex and police raids on the piers. His work is little known and underpublished--mainly due to its unflinching subject matter--but while often explicit, his photographs are on a par with those of Nan Goldin, Peter Hujar and Enrique Metenides. While the outside world saw New York as the glamorous playground of Studio 54, Warhol's gang and the disco era, Baltrop photographed the city's gritty flipside; his work is an important part of both gay culture and the history of New York itself. This clothbound volume compiles the Piers series in one definitive monograph, a powerful tribute to a long-forgotten world at the city's dilapidated margins.
Alvin Baltrop (1948-2004) was born in the Bronx, New York, and spent most of his life living and working in New York City. From 1969 to 1972, he served in the Vietnam War and began photographing his comrades. Upon his return, he enrolled in the School of the Visual Arts in New York, where he studied from 1973 to 1975. After working various jobs--vendor, jewelry designer, printer--he settled on the banks of Manhattan's West Side, where he would produce the bulk of his photographic output.
Details
Discover the captivating and powerful photographs of Alvin Baltrop in The Piers Book. Immerse yourself in an exploration of clandestine gay culture in 1970s and 80s New York. Baltrop fearlessly documented the forgotten world beneath Manhattan's West Side piers, capturing the raw essence of a lawless era filled with gay cruising, drug smuggling, and forgotten souls. His photographs, often explicit yet undeniably artistic, rival the works of Nan Goldin, Peter Hujar, and Enrique Metenides. The book is an unflinching tribute to a long-forgotten world, making it an important addition to both gay culture and the history of New York.
Step into the gritty underbelly of New York's past. With its clothbound design, The Piers Book gathers Baltrop's monumental Piers series in one definitive monograph. This volume bridges the gap between art and history, offering a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a city's dilapidated margins. Baltrop's photographs will transport you back in time, allowing you to witness the raw reality behind the glamorized disco era and the Studio 54 scene. Seize this opportunity to delve into the hidden world that shaped New York itself.
The Piers Book is a rare gem that has remained hidden for far too long. Due to the controversial nature of the subject matter, Baltrop's work has been underpublished and largely unknown. By bringing together his remarkable photographs in this exquisite edition, we shine a light on a forgotten artist whose unique vision resonates with power and emotion. Don't miss out on the chance to own a piece of history and to experience Baltrop's untold story.
To own your own copy of The Piers Book, click here and be transported to a world that time forgot. This extraordinary monograph is a must-have for art enthusiasts, history buffs, and those who desire an unfiltered glimpse into the underground culture of New York. Hurry, limited copies are available!
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