You may see New York City from many points of view, but a funhouse mirror is usually not one of them. Not until Magnum Photos star Alex Webb paired with Saint Laurent in Madison Square Park.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Alex Webb & Saint Laurent in a Funhouse Mirror
Madison Square Park sets at the center of the Flatiron District. It’s a gathering place, a lunch stop, and the site of art installations – like the one that Webb and Saint Laurent put together.
Over the last 45 years, Webb has focused on illuminating and interpreting social and political events through his complex and vibrant color photographs of serendipitous or perplexing moments that are often found in locations with socio-political rifts. Webb has worked in a variety of settings throughout his career, including the U.S.-Mexico border, Haiti and Istanbul.
“My work is questioning and exploratory,” he says. “I believe in photographs that convey a certain level of ambiguity, that ask questions rather than provide answers.”
But in Madison Square Park, that blended with photos done for fashion house Saint Laurent. The results reflect the energy, vibrancy and contradictions of New York City.
The mix of art – the mirror outside, the photography inside – made for a memorable three-day event set in a popular but tranquil Midtown park.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- Main Street Now – How We Can Do Better, Tip #1
When we take an honest look at Main Street now, it’s cringe-worthy. Even the easy improvements get little notice, and as we pointed out yesterday, slipshod appearances surround the handful of solid businesses. We can - Roosevelt Island Favorite Ioan Popoiu Back with New Solo Show
RIVAA artist Ioan Popoiu has thrilled local art lovers with his vibrant abstract canvases, but now, we have a special case. His new show, filled with fresh works of art, opens tomorrow in Gallery RIVAA, - RIOC Blew Fall for Arts 2023. But Now the Art Still Stands
By any measure, RIOC support for Fall for Arts 2023 was atrocious, the worst ever, but creativity held its ground. The art still stands, tall, colorful and proud around the Rivercross Lawn. by David Stone - “It’s like someone picked up all of RIOC’s marbles and went home…”
RIOC’s marbles, such as they were, became fewer over the last several years as the state hid from view, but this was different. It’s Friday, early afternoon, and if it weren’t for the red buses, - The MTA’s anti-mass transit, anti-art campaign marched through the weekend.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), an agency allegedly devoted to mass transit, is really cool on the concept. If its behavior on Roosevelt Island is a guide, that is. The transportation behemoth – currently exhorting
