Dustin Pittman, will be joining us to discuss the work in his stunning new coffee table book, New York After Dark. The images in Dustin’s book, many never before published, give viewers a fly-on-the-wall view of New York City’s legendary pop culture scene of the 70’s and 80’s; an intimate view of the worlds of fashion, art, music, celebrity and politics, and where they mingled at nightclubs and bars, such as CBGB and The Mudd Club, along with Andy Warhol's Factory and Studio 54's exclusive VIP room. That intimacy was born out of the mutual respect, trust and collaboration between Dustin and his subjects.
Dustin says, "I really respect survivors. If you get knocked down — which you will — you have to get back up. It’s tough out there. For me the secret of survival is to stay true to your soul. Stay the path and stay true to your vision.” That’s great advice for photographers as well!
A book signing will follow Dustin’s talk.
This free in-person event will be held at Soho Photo Gallery. Seating is limited. Register at the link below. . .
Speaker Bio: Dustin Pittman
Dustin Pittman amassed an archive of 100,000 photographs chronicling the untamed corners of New York City's after-hours nightlife, from shadowy underground haunts to prestigious galleries and clubs. This "wish I was there" book unveils the vibrant pop culture scene of New York during the 1970s and ‘80s. A collection of these images have recently been published as the book, New York After Dark, by Rizzoli.
Pittman’s photography is about more than photography; it's about the man behind the camera and the history, people, places, and events that have defined generations
Dustin was not just an observer but was an active participant in the places and events that shaped pop culture as we know it-the goings- on at Andy Warhol's Factory, the women's liberation movements of the 1970s the VIP room at Studio 54, and the nascent punk scene at CBGB and The Mudd Club. "My political work I've always seen as cultural work - an active participant in the ACT UP & a veteran of the Gay Liberation Front movement and Woman’s Rights movement his work has always been at the forefront of genderqueer visual politics challenges stereotypes and gender, sexual, and racial preconceptions." Dustin has always celebrated the wide spectrum of identities and experiences across the LGBTQIA+ community and recognize the oath-making spirit of its culture.
Through Pittman's lens, readers are provided an intimate glimpse into the intersecting worlds of fashion and celebrity, music, art, and politics-from the glam rock underground and the golden age of disco to the ateliers of the world's most famous fashion designers such as Halston, Yves Saint Laurent, and Calvin Klein. Pittman was witness to such rising stars as Blondie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop and the Stooges, The New York Dolls, and Roxy Music, as well as seminal cultural figures including Raquel Welch, Truman Capote, Diana Ross, Tina Chow, Brooke Shields, Jerry Hall, Divine, and Liza Minnelli-all caught in spontaneous, unguarded New York moments.
A vast majority of images are previously unpublished images of some of the most iconic and revered figures of the late 20th century, accompanied by firsthand observations and remembrances by Pittman. The book features an introductory essay offering an objective view of Pittman's work and importance as a chronicle of the music, art, and fashion scenes.
