THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT IN NEW YORK IS KNOWN AS THE CITY’S MOST FASHIONABLE NEIGHBORHOOD, HOUSING MANY HIGH END BOUTIQUES, RESTAURANTS AND EXCLUSIVE CLUBS. BUT THE NAME OF THE AREA INDICATES IT WASN’T ALWAYS LIKE THAT. A LITTLE OVER A CENTURY AGO IT WAS HOME TO NEW YORK'S LARGEST MEAT INDUSTRY. RECENTLY DYLAN ROSSER SETTLED DOWN IN THE MEATPACKING DISTRICT FOR A FEW DAYS AND ONE CAN’T HELP WONDERING IF WHAT HE DID THERE WAS IN SOME WAY A TRIBUTE TO THE MEATPACKING HISTORY.
Few cities are subject to dramatic changes as the city of New York, specially considering it only exist little under 400 years. One of the areas that has seen drastic transformation is the Gansevoort Market, better known as the Meatpacking District. Once home to 250 slaughterhouses and packing plants, it became notorious being a dangerous neighborhood known for drug dealing and prostitution in the 1980’s. Towards the end of the 1990’s the Meatpacking District went though yet another transformation and offered home to high end boutiques such as Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney and Diana von Furstenberg, restaurants such as Buddha bar and Pastis and exclusive clubs.
After having followed Dylan Rosser's photographic career, it is no surprise the London based, South African artist has a great passion for the United States. Since Dylan doesn’t shoot fashion or commissioned work, he always faces the challenge in finding an affordable place that both offers accommodation as shooting possibilities. On his latest trip to New York City he found exactly that in the Meatpacking District, in a hotel that came with floor to ceiling windows and a great city view. The perfect setting for a great session, all that was left to do for Dylan was line up a couple of guys to shoot. And that is exactly what Dylan did, with Bryan, Michael, Sam and Rick. Look at these great shots and you tell us why this area is called the Meatpacking District…
During the weekend of shooting the weather turned out to be not so nice, with grey skies and rain showers. It wasn’t the idea situation for Dylan Rosser, who would have prefered clear blue sky backdrops, but then again, the heavy sky turned out to be a perfect setting for an area that has such a turbulent history. All together the result of Dylan’s meat packing weekend is one worth to be displayed and admired. Hence we bring you a selection of portraits of Sam, Bryan and Michael. What about the earlier mentioned Rick, we hear you asking. Don’t worry, we safe him for later.
In October this year, Dylan will release his second book – Red – which for sure will follow the success of his first publication X-posed. Red will be and absolute must for the Rosser fan. If not to see once again some of his great work in print, than for sure because Red will feature work that has never been featured on Dylan Rosser’s website before. –B-
What an appropriate location for Dylan to photograph these beautiful guys who are definitely packing some serious meat!
Posted by: Steve | July 06, 2009 at 06:15 AM