The Pyramid, which helped define the East Village drag and art scenes in the 1980s, held forth for several decades at 101 Avenue A between Sixth Street and Seventh Street.
In an oral history of the space, Tricia Romano noted: "[The Pyramid] served as a safe haven for freaks, geeks, weirdos, queers, and dreamers to come together and create. Sometimes it was bad; sometimes it was beautiful. But it was never boring."
In honor of the publication, Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive is currently showing "Pyramid Pioneers," an exhibition showcasing early Pyramid Polaroids and posters by Trey Speegle; video, graphics and memorabilia from Mark Oates; photographs by Lynn M. Grabowski (Pyramid name: Baronessa); Julie Hair and Jody Kurilla's musical memorabilia from their Pyramid series, Tuesday Night Fever; clips from the documentary "Pyramid Club — The Movie" directed by Elizabeth Bouiss; and flyers and photos featured in the book from Howl! Archives' Brian Butterick Collection.
The exhibit debuted last Thursday (and included a sold-out party at Baker Falls, which opened last July in the former Pyramid space).
"Pyramid Pioneers" is up through May 19.
Howl! Arts/Howl! Archive is at 250 Bowery, 2nd Floor, near Stanton Street. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
Find more book info here.
P.S. update
Thanks to Bill in the comments... I hadn't seen Alex's post yet at Flaming Pablum, which includes some Boss Hog and Cop Shot Cop clips from the Pyramid.
Flaming Pablum has a link to information about the Pyramid Club (April 23 post), including a videos of a song shot in 1990.
ReplyDeleteSo, 250 Bowery is one of those newish steel and glass buildings on the LES often referred to as a "monstrosity" by some. The Howl 2nd fl location appears to be a private residence functioning as an art gallery. As everyone knows the Pyramid was a raunchy, dirty dive of a music venue that smelled of weed, alcohol and cheap perfume wafting off Bridge and Tunnel girls out slumming on a Saturday night. Kind of weird to see a retrospective such as this in such a bougie and sanitized environment. The art, such as it is, was a bit underwhelming. I could be wrong but I don't recall seeing any polaroids. Reproductions yes, but not the real article. Nothing like seeing that glossy, gooey emulsion in the flesh especially when done by a master like Warhol or Lucas Samaras. Ditto for the graphic art. If you like a fluffy vibe this show's for you.
ReplyDeleteHowever if you want see a real tour de force of artistic photography I would highly recommend Tony Notarberadino's Chelsea Hotel Portraits at ACA, Galleries, 173 10 Ave. Amazing collection of large format platinum prints of NY's finest freaks, artists and weirdos. Debbie, De Dee Ramone, Grace Jones, Jessica the Drag Queen, Dirty Martini, Arthur C. Clarke, etc, etc.
The Polaroid collages are mine and they are in print form 20 x 30" (edition of 11) which are for sale plus lots of ephemera pulled from my collection and others. The Polaroids in the collages are larger as opposed to the originals which are not for sale. All are available in both volumes of my book Trey Speegle; 80s Polaroids, Vol. 1 & 2. There's nothing "fluffy" about the exhibit, the work in it or the space on the contrary it's quite gritty. It's a not-for-profit run by Jane Friedman and curator, Aldo Hernandez. Go see it. Free and very much worth the trip.
ReplyDeleteWe were fortunate to have friends who documented this brief but important cultural time period with photography, especially when cameras were not readily available in our pockets. However, this exhibition is more than just photography. Other Polaroids in the exhibition were shot by me; they are grouped, arranged, and mounted inside several frames. They are not reproductions and indeed, yes, "the real article"; all original and authentic and taken on New Year's Eve in the basement the evening of December 31, 1983 into January 1, 1984. Over the last 40+ years, the East Village has become unavoidably a "bougie and sanitized environment" but there was nothing "fluffy" about the work and archives presented in this exhibition which accurately documents our real world lived experiences. While most posters, flyers, photographs, ephemera, set designs, and art are original pieces from 1981-1986, a few were blown up from their original format to enhance the exhibition. Everything else is the real deal. I reiterate: "It's a not-for-profit run by Jane Friedman and curator, Aldo Hernandez. Go see it. Free and very much worth the trip."
ReplyDelete