Sammy, Atlantic City, 2008

This picture, from Will Steacy’s project Down These Mean Streets, blows me away. It was my favorite images of NYPH.

This interview, with Alex Quig at The Bomblog, also blows me away.

an excerpt:

“Down These Mean Streets, my current project, examines fear and the abandonment of America’s inner cities. I am interested in the parts of the city you don’t want to be in at night;the part of town you drive through – not to – with the windows rolled up and doors locked.

The work has been fueled by America’s preoccupation with national safety, protecting our country from foreign forces, while we’ve lost sight of what it is we’re fighting for. We have forgotten our own cities, neighborhoods, and streets. By addressing the overwhelming loss and despair that prevail in our urban communities, I want to make a modern day portrait of the American inner city.

I have a set routine, photographing only at night with a large format view camera, I am walking from the airport to the central business district of American cities, photographing my journey.”

read it, I’m telling you.

And if you want to be blown away in person, go to Will’s opening next Thursday.