Spencer Ostrander: Time Square in the Rain

Spencer Ostranders photographs of Times Square show people transformed into abstract, brilliant reflections of advertising, creating a technical mirage that suits his subject of the empty allure of late capitalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

On one of Spencer Ostranders early visits to Times Square, the rain began to fall, enveloping the crowd in a plastic cocoon that transformed them into abstract, brilliant reflections of the massive advertising that surrounded them. Designed to captivate consumers with illusions of status, the good life, and happiness through product consumption, the vast LED light boards turned visitors into walking advertisements for MTV, Coca-Cola, and The Lion King. As the flickering LEDs danced upon Ostranders camera sensor, they created streaks of color and lines that didn't exist in reality, but were seamlessly incorporated into the photographs, creating a technical mirage that perfectly captured Ostranders subject—the empty allure of late capitalism.

Moving among the people with his camera, Ostrander began to observe a hidden story unfolding within his photographs. Sorrow, tenderness, and despair began to emerge, painting a poignant portrait of the human experience in the face of economic superficiality. Through his lens, Ostrander revealed the emotional toll that the relentless pursuit of materialism and consumerism takes on individuals, leaving them disconnected from their true selves and longing for something more profound.

The rain continued to pour, washing away the superficiality of the city and revealing the raw emotions of its inhabitants. Ostrander's photographs became a testament to the human spirit's resilience and capacity for empathy, reminding us of the importance of connecting with others on a deeper level and seeking meaning beyond the material world.

Weight: 1054g
Dimension: 228 x 317 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775753050