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Building
NYC
New York's Changing Landscape
An Exhibition of Photographs and Prints
from 1880’s-2001
January-April
2002
Grand Lobby, Central Library
New York is — and always has been — a work in progress. One of the
most dynamic cities in the world, the structures that compose New York’s
landscape reflect its ever-evolving nature. Brooklyn Public Library’s
Brooklyn Collection has selected 47 original photographs and prints of
some of the city’s most interesting structures during their
construction and reconstruction from 1880’s-2001, including
the Chrysler Building, Flatiron Building, Brooklyn, Williamsburg and
Verrazano bridges, Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and Brooklyn Army Terminal.
"Who knew that every
photographer would stop for the Brooklyn Bridge…The bridge in
scaffolds; or with laboring men who probably hadn’t heard of the bends
yet and looked at the skeletal structure and couldn’t dream of what
Crane or Lorca or so many poets and writers would do with their
handiwork…" writes noted author André Aciman (The New York Times, The New
Yorker) in "In Scaffolds," as he reflects on the New York
landscape in the essay written for the exhibition.
"At a time when
our city needs inspiration to move forward, this exhibition displays
evidence of its ongoing strength and power to create and recreate
itself." said Judith Walsh, Director of the Brooklyn Collection.
"Co-curator Joy Holland and I have selected images that reflect the
energy and endurance of New York City."
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The
Brooklyn Collection
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The photographs
and prints come from the many sources that comprise the Brooklyn
Collection’s holdings. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
collection includes about 35,000 images of Brooklyn dating from
about 1900 to 1955. The collection houses historic images by
professional and amateur photographer alike, from prolific amateur
George Bradford Brainerd working in the 1870’s and 80’s to
professional construction photographer Mal Gurian who trained in
aerial photography during World War II.
Brooklyn Public Library’s
Brooklyn Collection contains books, maps, photographs, clippings
and other items that document the history of Brooklyn from
pre-colonial times to the present. It is the premier repository
for materials on the borough in the 20th century.
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(Click to enlarge)
Brooklyn Army Terminal, c. 1918
Williamsburg Bridge, 1901
Flatiron Building, c. 1902
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