Photographer Captures Three Years Passing by the Former Essex Market
As the former Essex Street Market buildings continue to devolve into decrepitude, out come the artists, taggers, and the like.
Commenting on the “fast transition” of the Lower East Side and its residents, photographer Kristofer Dan-Bergman over the weekend pasted a series of posters at 120 Essex Street. The project is called “LESWall(k),” with each piece capturing passersby at the same brick wall over a three-year period.
“The project started out by accident since I went to the Essex market daily for my daily cup of coffee,” Dan-Bergman told us in an email. “After I did it a few times I realized that I was actually documenting the people in the rapidly changing Lower East Side.”
And, as a sign of the times: “I also noticed when people passed somebody in the opposite direction that they never paid attention to the other person.”
The exhibition is possible due a grant by the CAC and NYFA, and will be on display for as long as the street seems fit.
The Essex Market relocated across Delancey Street in spring 2019, opening in the flagship building of Essex Crossing.