I made these photographs on Memorial Day in 1976. The parade began on 25th Street and 5th Avenue, across the street from the entrance to Green-Wood Cemetery. I walked ten blocks from my apartment in pre-gentrified South Brooklyn and arrived in time to see marchers and musicians warm up and tune up.
Because the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence would take place in the summer of 1976, this year’s Memorial Day Parade was larger than usual, and included references to “America’s Birthday.”
As I photographed the Parade, I took a slow walk through the Brooklyn I knew very well. Italian-, Puerto Rican-, Irish- and Polish- American community members participated as both marchers and observers.
Artist Bios
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Larry Racioppo
Larry Racioppo was born and raised in South Brooklyn and has photographed New York City since 1971. A Guggenheim Fellow and former staff photographer for NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, his work is held by the Museum of the City of New York, the Brooklyn Museum, El Museo del Barrio, the Brooklyn Public Library and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Recent books include Here Down on Dark Earth: Loss and Remembrance in New York City and Brooklyn Before: Photographs 1971-1983.
Organizations
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Photoville
Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.
In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.
By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.
For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
MEMORIAL ’76
Featuring: Larry Racioppo
Supported by:
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
This project is supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts.
