Gothamist: Boogie: Painful to Watch

edEx

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 15:35:45 -0500

i've been peakin at boogie's photos for a few years, they're the underbelly of nyc and some european countries as well.

Jack

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:58:21 -0500

In response to "Yea, I guess...": "Ok, so a guy takes pedestrian (no pun itntended) photos of individuals doing things that go on in my community/block/building every day and the next stop is a museum?" Why is it an invalid claim? First, his stuff is not in museums--to my knowledge--based on the fact that Jake clearly states "...in ten years, they're going to be putting his stuff up in the museums." Meaning Jake hopes this guy gets recognition. He's decent. Gallery worthy. But not too sure about museums; he's not a Walker Evans, Ruth Orkin or Helen Levitt at this point. But also, why is it acceptable to have oil paintings of the rich/powerful in a musuem but not everyday life. In the great scheme of things, when I look back on NYC in the year 2005 I don't think staring at portraits of George Pataki, Mike Bloomberg or even George W. Bush would make me think back wistfully about the era. Seeing pictures of everyday street life--the good, the bad and the ugly--speaks more to the daily experience of life than anything else.

kim

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:43:38 -0500

I thought these were photos were beautifully disturbing. Thanks for sharing this site Jake, it's something that's ugly but needs to be shown.

Yea, I guess...

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:02:43 -0500

Ok, so a guy takes pedestrian (no pun itntended)photos of individuals doing things that go on in my community/block/building every day and the next stop is a museum? Sounds to me like Mr. Jake just either was given or bought on the cheap a large collection of these works of art and is looking for a pay day in the distant future. Plugola is a very bad word -- even on the internet. Just my small opinion, of course...

Uzg

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 13:46:27 -0500

"that most corner newsstands/grocery stores in this city are really... Well figure it out." They are really what? Why dont you tell me.

payespimp

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 11:49:40 -0500

dreideldreideldreideldreidel...c'mon man..dreideldreideldreideldreidel

Jack

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 11:47:42 -0500

Far from me to defend Jake (without a doubt) but the fact is that Hasidic culture is as hidden to most people in this world as drug culture. Considering the picture used on this post as being taken in Bushwick, it makes sense that drugs and Hasidim would be mixed. Because it's worlds that are hidden and next-door to each other. And that's an interesting reality few peope want to admit. I don't think it's racism in any way. It's documenation of the unseen. Simple as that. If you're offended by that reality, you might be shocked that most corner newsstands/grocery stores in this city are really... Well figure it out.

reli-junkie

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 11:09:13 -0500

"C'mon, man, help me out! Just one Torah scroll, man! I need my fix! I'll pay you next week, I promise..."

karl

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:24:25 -0500

religion is the opiate of the masses

junkie

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:14:44 -0500

offensive to whom?

jake

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 10:13:19 -0500

it's true, those are four of his major subjects, and they are all a part of the hidden city we don't see every day. no judgement was made or intended in the list-- it's just a statement of fact.

zack

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:48:14 -0500

not to mention mildly offensive

stephanie berger

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:28:07 -0500

hahaha, me three on the hasidim...

kristin

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:20:47 -0500

That's funny, sp - i thought the same exact ting.

sp

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:13:34 -0500

haha, I love how Hasidim are lumped in with gangs, prostitutes and drug users.