Ari Marcopoulos' Polaroids
How do you think your vision or gaze has changed throughout your career—from when you were a newer artist to now being so experienced?
I think that perhaps I am more confident now. Not in terms of that it will result into a better photo, but more directed into what I want to see in my work. Perhaps also my gaze is slower and more contemplative. Things have gradually changed over time but I still feel connected to my earlier work and feel that there’s still similar intentions.
What was it like being entrenched in 90’s skate culture in New York?
Entrenched is a verb that makes me think of World War I. It was more like hanging. For me it was exciting and I learned a lot about individual pursuit and group dynamics at the same time. I had never met a group of people so connected and cool with each other.
Tell me about the Brooklyn Banks. What was it like being around such legendary skaters? Were they your friends?
They weren’t my friends when I started taking photos. But they became friends after they saw some of the photos and saw that I was serious about making a document of what was going on. The banks was a grimy epic spot where skaters met up and had long sessions. The legendary part didn’t really play much of a role. Although, we all knew who was crushing it on any given day.
How did you find yourself being a voice for New York subcultures? Was it something you sought out or more so just found yourself in?
I am not sure if that’s how I would describe myself. I found something I was interested in and documented it. So yeah I sought it out. Some way or another we got along and I still hear from kids I knew back then.
How do you think skate culture differed in the 80’s and 90’s between New York and LA?
Oh I'm not sure. First, the Cali pictures I took are from SF, Oakland and Santa Rosa all up in Northern California. But I think as New York is different in a lot of other things, the same goes for skaters. But kids from Cali would come out and skate NY or the other way around. And they all had the same goal: to just shred.
What was it like moving to fashion photography from skate photography? Because Supreme is a skate brand, was your method the same?
Method probably the same. Reasons slightly different. Photographing skating was a passion. Fashion photography is a check.
Your imagery was adopted by brands like Supreme and Adidas. What is it like to see a subculture you were such a part of become more mainstream?
It’s inevitable. Capitalism will commodify anything it can turn into profit.
What do these two new books mean to you? Why release them now?
I found a box of Polaroids and started looking through them. It triggered good memories and I love the way they looked and I felt it was a good time to pay tribute to that time the skaters then. The books were ok annexed before and got delayed by the pandemic but now seems a good time to look back and actually also realize that skaters are really still the same as a unique group of individuals tied together by a shared passion.
What picture do these two new books of polaroids paint of New York?
That’s up to you. That’s what I’m giving to the viewer.
How have you spent your lockdown?
I edited 2 films that were waiting to be done. I took a lot of Polaroids in the beginning. Gone for walks taking some photos, not many. I laid out about 6 or 8 books.
Are you reading anything right now?
I’m reading Hegel’s Introductory Lectures on Aesthetics and Mumia Abu-Jamal’s Have Black Lives Ever Mattered?
New York is in a really odd and scary state right now. What has this been like for you?
Well the pandemic has laid bare the cracks in our society. Bad healthcare, bad social services, police brutality, racism. So it’s about time for change. That’s what I know and what I’m trying to work towards in the best way I know.
