The NY Historical Society presents Harlem 1970-2009: Photographs by Camilo José Vergara, an exhibition documenting the urban rejuvenation of this famed neighborhood. Having experienced poverty in his native Chile, Vergara was always drawn to rough urban landscapes in the US. For nearly four decades, he returned to the same intersections and streets in Harlem and photographed the urban settings as they evolved through the years. One highlight is a sequence of images taken between 1977-2007 outside of 65 East 125th St showing the vivid transformation of the building from a local nightclub, to a discount variety store, to a smoke shop, to a clothing boutique, to a mattress outlet, to, finally, a vacant storefront with a “for rent” sign.

Exhibition on View:
Harlem 1970-2009: Photographs by Camilo José Vergara
Thursday, April 30– Sunday, July 12, 2009

New York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
New York, New York
(212) 873-3400

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