Underground, I Love You
A collection of photographs from the underground performing-art scene of New York City.
the Underground is no longer just a stepping stone on the way to something “bigger.” The talent is too great in scale, and often too disadvantaged to make it to the “big” stages; as a result, the Underground becomes the destination, offering something different — something real and reachable— to both performers and audiences: a community, an ethic, and an alternative to the expectations imposed by mainstream culture.
For many, the Underground is a full-time commitment. It may not be lucrative, but in terms of quality and professionalism, what happens on these smaller stages is just as powerful and authentic as anything found in the city’s most famous venues.
Photographing punk rock shows, dance, burlesque, drag, clowns, acrobats and wrestlers — I see all vibrant forms of live performance thriving in neighborhoods far from the bright lights of Broadway, where a single ticket can cost hundreds of dollars.
The Underground represents more than access: it’s culture on a human scale. It’s a place where the performance is close enough to feel, where the energy is unfiltered, and where the connection between artist and audience is immediate and alive.
These events often take place in the more remote parts of the city, the remaining spaces that can survive without commercial sponsorship, and where creativity can still breathe freely.
To be clear, I have nothing but admiration for musicians who play big arenas, for Broadway performers, the incredible acrobats of Cirque Du Soleil, or ballerinas at Lincoln Center — they are special people, too. But the Underground deserves great respect, and it needs to claim an identity independent from the status of underclass.
Performing in the Underground isn’t just a hobby because it doesn’t make money — there are incredible artists, working hard and constantly improving their craft, and I believe they shouldn’t have to wait for mainstream recognition to feel fulfilled or accomplished. They already are.
