The Utterly Modern Photography of Weegee

Photo by Weegee  (american suburbx)

The inviting International Center of Photography (ICP) has a thrilling exhibit on the works of Weegee, titled "Murder is My Business".
The exhibit, which runs through September 2, is a fascinating opportunity to both become acquainted with the murder beat photographer, and simultaneously pore over a treasure trove of photos of New York City from 1935-46, an era when the city looked quite different than it does now.

Born Usher Fellig in 1899 in present day Ukraine, his name was changed to Arthur when he emigrated with his family to New York 10 years later. He held a variety of jobs early in his career, including as a photographer's assistant. He began working as a freelance photographer in 1935, focusing on often graphic imagery of crime scenes. He would devote much of his time and energy to arriving first on the scene of any number of lurid crimes, selling his photos to tabloids and various photo agencies. 

Following contributions to newspapers such as The Daily News and The Herald Tribune, Weegee published a series of books of photography, most notably Naked City in 1945. He also had a number of assignments for editorial and advertising work from Vogue and Life magazines. The ICP's comprehensive exhibit features framed, wall-mounted photos, as well as displays of magazines and newspapers. There is even a short film and an evocative, installation/recreation of the charismatic photog's apartment, complete with bed and desk.

The ICP draws on its impressive collection of Weegee's catalogue and dedicates much of its immersive lower level to this engaging exhibit. Some of the photos, like a series of a claustrophobically overcrowded Coney Island, will be familiar to viewers, yet many are fresh and seem to predict our present day fascination with the sensationalistic and profane. While Weegee's work may be both, it is also accomplished, evocative, amusing, and like its extroverted creator, winning.