Photos of 1970s New York ‘Idols’
at Chelsea gallery
By Alison MartinNovember 29, 2011
A series of photographs by Gilles Larrain are on display at The Steven Kasher Gallery in Chelsea. The exhibition titled Gilles Larrain: Idols includes 35 of Larrain’s large-scale photographs that are being exhibited to the public for the first time. Larrain’s photographed musicians, actors, and other figures who had an impact on New York City culture in the early 1970s, with this particular exhibition focusing on those who were also transvestites.
Larrain photographed his subjects in his Soho studio, which became a place for each model to thoroughly explore their sexual identity as they were seen as misfits in mainstream society. Larrain’s models are seen in a striking, bold light, as each one is photographed wearing glamorous, bold, and eccentric outfits and makeup.
Notable models include the New York Dolls, Harvey Fierstein, and Holly Woodlawn. The inspiration behind these photographs came from Larrain’s many visits to Max’s Kansas City club in New York during the birth of the gay rights movement, and in 1973 he published his book Idols with photographs of the eccentric characters that often hung out there.
“Gilles contributed to the anthropological timeline of New York history, and by photographing them, he made these people into the people they wanted to be. Gilles has the magic touch; it seems he is effortlessly able to glamorize his subjects and make them look like the most fascinating people in the world,” said photographer Ryan McGinley, in a forward to the book.
“His photos are sophisticated but also playful. Finding the balance between those two opposing things is really hard to do; it’s something I’m always striving for. But there’s a kind of dark side to it too. You see the glossy surface of who they want to be, and then you get a glimpse of the reality,” said McGinley. At The Steven Kasher Gallery (521 W. 23rd St.) through Dec. 23. The gallery is open on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.