Davidson’s 1959 project Brooklyn Gang is an intimate photographic study of a rebellious Brooklyn teenage gang, who called themselves The Jokers. Davidson was able to document their candid manifestations of worry, energy, enthusiasm, anger, and occasional sadness. The gang seemed to exist in their own secluded world, meandering from Coney Island to diners and taxicabs, anxiously moving forward with an unknown future and unknown goals. Not only is Davidson’s work a sincere portrayal of troubled teenagers coming of age, but it also acts as a documentation of teenage life during the 1950s, exposing the emotional climate of that time period and exposing the dark side of a supposedly innocent time period.
I encourage you to google and check out Davidson's other bodies of work.
Soundtrack? I'm thinkin' The Stray Cats:
I absolutely love Bruce Davidson. Thanks for posting this. There's also a photo from this series that I remember...a shot of a cigarette machine with two people in the mirror showing. It's a great shot. I also like Mr. Davidson's statement about this gang. I'll have to go find my book on him.
ReplyDeleteThe shot you remember is there - one of my favorites as well!
Deletehappy monday - jhh
How much do I LOOOOOVE these photos? !!!! Wow.
ReplyDelete