“At the Crossroads of Desire: A Times Square Centennial” looks back on how Times Square has evolved over the past century as a nexus for the real estate, journalism, advertising and entertainment industries, at the same time that it has served as a crucible for changing notions of urban planning, morality and public display – a crossroads of desire in its many forms.
“One day walking around Times Square, the clouds cleared and I had an epiphany of sorts. The City exploded in a blaze of expressionistic colors with the brilliant laser white light sculpting the building, cabs messengers and scurrying figures. At once I realized my mission: try and capture the narrative, the beauty and the magnetic pull of the epicenter of this modern urban city.” —Tom Christopher
The exhibition is organized chronologically through a series of six themes that have come to symbolize the history of Times Square: a century of building and planning; the crowd; entertaining America; fantasy and desire; signs of the times; and making news. Despite all of its transformations, these consistent themes have kept Americans fascinated with Times Square since its inception.
With each generation building directly atop the one before, only pieces of what the space once was are left. Included in the exhibition are the works of many of the great photographers and filmmakers spanning the past century, who were drawn to the unique light and social atmosphere that attracted millions in the same way. Among the photographers featured are William Klein, Rudy Burckhardt, Weegee and Robert Frank. Images of Hubert’s Dime Museum and Flea Circus on 42 Street, Times Square subway signs and adult-themed movie posters, postcards of old Broadway also create a visual reminder of what Times Square was, and what it has become.
A New York Fantasy by Tom Christopher
This painting was featured in the entrance to the show.
