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Notes 2005, © Lou Reed. Courtesy Steven Kasher Gallery
Lou Reed has just released his second book of photography titled Lou Reed’s New York. Published by Steidl, this project depicts New York through the lens of a man who has called the city home for decades and in turn has drawn much of his inspiration and energy from it. Reed, most notably known for his role in the innovative late 60’s avant-rock group, The Velvet Underground, has been photographing the city since the 70’s and has pieced together a collection of 50 recent landscape and portrait images.
“Two years and many cameras and lenses later, these images are the result of a small attempt to share the beauty that has bedazzled the consciousness of this viewer standing on the edge of the river with a box in hand trying to catch the lightning bolt of time. This is organic photography, a recording of the city’s celestial light show—the blazing changes from dawn to dusk across the Hudson—an everyday recording of the majestic flowing sky and waters produced by a deity of such endless talent and originality that a photographer can only snap, focus, and pray that this or that camera, lens, digital back, and all the technical advances coming by the minute can somehow capture a fragment of the quickly shifting magnitude being presented for the inspiration of anyone looking.”—Lou Reed
Lou Reed is showing his photographs in two simultaneous New York exhibitions at The Gallery at Hermès and Steven Kasher Gallery. Lou Reed’s New York can currently be purchased through the galleries and will be widely available soon.
For additional insight into this project, check out NPR for an in-depth interview with the photographer.
The Past 2005 © Lou Reed. Courtesy Steven Kasher Gallery
Hey, I'm a long-time fan of Lou Reed. His music, lyrics and vocal phrasing create some of the most personal, intimate, memorable and poignant views of contemporary life. He once described his singing style as wanting to whisper deep true secrets right into your ear, as if it was just Lou and you, and he was telling a story.
So, when I see these photos, it's a big disappointment. They seem distant, remote, numb, uncaring -- and frankly uninteresting. His songs are as gritty as Eugene Richards' photos in "Cocaine True Cocaine Blue", but Lou's photos are more like those taken by some traveling businessman trying to get arty on his hours off. Bummer. I'm going to crank up the stereo.
Posted by: jim Casper at March 3, 2006 11:46 AMI agree. Sorry,Lou,but if your name wasn't below them,nobody would really care. I'd rather see the New York whispered about in "Some Kinda Love",and I know you could do it,maybe even a movie of the same.
Speaking of which,if you'd like some silent,8mm movies from the Sally Can't Dance Tour,or to produce my next album,contact me. Your friend,
davey