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New York Sleeps

Photography

Posted by Eliza Williams, 11 January 2011, 16:15    Permalink    Comments (17)

Grand Central Terminal II, 2008

A new exhibition of photographs by Christopher Thomas, which opens at the Wapping Project Bankside in London tonight, reveals that the city that supposedly never sleeps does in fact have the odd moment of repose...

Thomas's New York series was shot over several years using a custom-made large format camera, and offers up an unusual portrait of the city, a chance to view some of its most iconic buildings without the typical hustle and bustle of people flowing through them.

Radio City Music Hall, 2009

Solomon R Guggenheim Museum, 2009

The effect of witnessing these familiar places in such stillness is a little disquieting but mostly feels a rare treat. Somewhat remarkably, Thomas hasn't employed any trickery to capture them empty of people - he simply got there very early in the morning.

Grand Central Terminal 1, 2008

Brooklyn Bridge II, 2001

New York Sleeps opens tonight at the Wapping Project Bankside, and will remain on view until February 26. More info is at thewappingprojectbankside.com.

 

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17 Comments

Gorgeous! The large format of the camera, plus the expertise of the artist are more than evident. Are they for sale?
Curator
2011-01-11 17:58:43


Stunning.

I've always loved shots with no people whatsoever and I often try to achieve the same thing with my own photography. There's usually a lot of standing around with camera on face waiting for the right moment!

These images have an ethereal quality in their absolute stillness; an alternate reality where time stands still that's very appealing. The world momentarily becomes a movie set between takes. For a second you're the star of 'I am Legend' or '28 Days/Months Later'.
Andi Rusyn
2011-01-12 11:22:23


Simply beautiful.
Graphic Design Manchester
2011-01-12 11:35:12


The city that never sleeps, actually does ???? LOL !!!
Thank you for that beautiful pictures.
NewYorker
2011-01-12 11:41:37


Briliant set of photographs, love them all but especially Grand Central Terminal II, 2008 and Brooklyn Bridge II, 2001.
Stephen McDonald
2011-01-12 11:51:22


All depends on the eyes of the photographer. Classy pictures I must say.
Souvick Mazumder
2011-01-12 12:15:17


Love these! Great to see a unique side of NYC at peace... Great job Christopher!
Simon WInnall
2011-01-12 13:19:05


amazing images, a great job!
Jitesh Patel
2011-01-12 16:37:37


Wow, these images have such a ethereal quality about them. I can't imagine anyone being able to capture Mumbai like this though.
Kunal Bhatia
2011-01-12 17:23:37


Loving these images - really surreal, such familar places that I associate with crowds of people and movement, stripped down bare. My only criticism is the negative border - i don't like them, probably a personal thing :-)
Liverpool Photographer
2011-01-13 12:00:49


Photography is the art of opportunity - and having the patience and knowledge to be there when it is likely to strike. Fantastic photos of our sometimes lovely city.
Britta Perry
2011-01-13 16:01:55


I thought I I'd never see NY with anyone in their streets. Thanks for this.

Fessols&naps
Fessols&naps
2011-01-13 16:42:03


love the shots chris, nice dynamic images. love the frames, certainly adds to the images
the polaroid one wrapped around the City Music hall is stunning.

jim (photographer)
jim watters
2011-01-14 13:02:19


the pics are beautiful.
and the chance of witnessing nyc without all the movement is breathtaking.
mato cageao
2011-01-14 19:31:16


Simply beautiful
Justingreen19
2011-01-17 22:22:27


What a great set of images, love the one with the bridge, nice to see the city so empty.
Peter Hearl Photography
2011-01-18 08:30:13


sorry to break it to you guys, but he might have used a really long exposure, powered by an extreme ND filter that reduces light 10 times during the day. Or it could have been xmas morning or ny day, or a really lucky situation :p
florin
2011-01-18 19:53:15


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