NYC: Mapping the Soul of the City

In the map room of the main branch of the New York Public Library, guarded by the stone lions out front, there's an exhibition of illustrated maps of New York spanning six centuries, guest-curated by Katharine Harmon. The exhibition includes my pigeon's-eye view of Tompkins Square Park in 1988. I tried to capture all the various ethnic, political, dropout, musical, homeless, exhibitionist, do-gooder groups as they staked out their corner of park turf. Since its origins in the 1830s, Tompkins has been both a neighborhood park and a public gathering spot for protest, celebration, performance, and alternative lifestyles, always reflecting the changing character of the 'hood. The exhibition runs through July 16th, 2018.