It was the best of times in many ways. There may have been more crime but I didn’t notice it. I even liked walking down tawdry but atmospheric 42nd Street alone . No one bothered me. Artists and writers could afford the theatre and living in Hells Kitchen or any borough. My studio apt in the Village was $190. There were super markets and salad bars on every block so I didn’t have to worry that my bananas from Fresh Direct would be black. The great little stores you were constantly discovering and rediscovering could afford the rent. Most of beautiful old New York was still intact. There were great inexpensive restaurants everywhere . Tuesday’s , Wednesday’s, Thursday’s , and Friday’s had an amazing weekend champagne brunch for $5.98 with disco dancing. People weren’t buried in their phones and actually looked at each other instead . The subways ran mostly on time and were less crowded. And believe it or not you couldn’t get a bad slice of pizza.
Love your work Meryl! Thanks.
Love her unwavering affection for NYC. Her photos speak to this
Inventive & simple joys, art, empathy and a collective sense of hopefulness & creativity... all springing from the grittiness that was underfoot throughout NYC’s neighborhoods. It was visceral and real, Koch was the people’s Mayor, and I loved it!
I first lived in NYC in the 1960s, visited often in the 1970s, and moved back in for an extended period from the 1980s and into the 1990s. I find the city now revolting and characterless for how the excesses of capitalism and neoliberalism have stripped it of its soul.
I love all of these. In every seemingly hopeless situation, life will always burst forth.
New Yorkers will, no matter what, by god, LIVE!!!
I love seeing these people. Living. Incredible. Well done.
Awesome photos!! This is time travel—loved it
What jewels these photographs are ... each its own little time machine. I was a young woman in the ‘70s and wish, now, I’d used my camera more on my adventures. Film developing was mostly beyond my budget then and I only have stiffly posed family group photos. These images you’ve published are ALIVE. Thank you.
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Brilliant photographs and a great story.
I too arrived in NY in the fall of 1975. It was the dawn of a new era. Disco was everywhere, the Vietnam War was finally over and Saturday Night Live aired its first episode. I have always felt that it was the true end of the 60’s. And like Ms. Meisler I was invigorated by the excitement and energy that was NY then. I never felt that it was New York’s low point in fact I felt that the possibilities were endless.
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Thank you so very much for this! Marvelous.
I lived in Boston, was a ten year old at the time in a multi-racial neighborhood, and didn't get to live in Manhattan until the 90's, but I can still imagine all the more shots Ms Meisler has up her sleeves!
Great article, wonderfully nostalgic photos (there truly is no substitute for traditional black & white photography, imho!), and a return to a time in NY City when a combination of uncertainty and joy coexisted.
Thank you, NYT! More stories and photos like this one, please!
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Meisler's photos reminded this viewer of a time, a place, and what there was to love about photography. Every one (and everyone in them) a treat!
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David. Thanks for writing this article. Meryl, Love the photos especially in Black and White. Looking forward to show
Thank you! Ms. Meisler captures how weird and amazing NY was.
Not a phone anywhere. I know these are different times (my kids love to tell me) but I was 12-13 back then and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything.
Meryl Meisler rules.
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