Accession Number2000/2.158.11
TitleNew Year's Eve, NYC
Artist(s)Joel MeyerowitzArtist NationalityAmerican (North American)Object Creation Date1965Medium & Supportgelatin silver print on paperDimensions 11 in x 14 in (27.94 cm x 35.56 cm);18 1/8 in x 22 1/8 in (46.04 cm x 56.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of Selma & Gerald LotenbergLabel copyMeyerowitz is a native New Yorker who photographs both landscapes and urban settings. His earlier black and white photographs stand within the tradition and sensibilities of street photography—direct, spontaneous, and reflecting the instincts of a hunter in search of his quarry on the city streets. In this image, a couple kisses under a theatre marquee that says, "Kiss Me, Stupid." The festive setting of the New Year's celebrations, and the sidelong glances of passers-by, weave this passing private moment into a tender yet universal sentiment.
Carole McNamara, Assistant Director for Collections & Exhibitions
on the occasion of the exhibition New York Observed: The Mythology of the City
(July 13 – September 22, 2003)
Subject matterFrom Meyerowitz's earliest works reflecting the influence of photographers Robert Frank and Garry Winogrand in the tradition of black and white street photography. The work captures a couple's embrace on New Year's Eve beneath a theater marquee and reflect's Meyerowitz's interest in the spontaneous and human elements of street photography subjects.
Physical DescriptionPhotograph of a man and woman, surrounded by pedestrians, that embrace below a movie marquee bearing the words "KISS ME, STUPID."
Primary Object ClassificationPhotographCollection AreaPhotographyRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
Figures
buildings
celebrations
couples
embraces
motion picture theaters
sign
signs (declatory or advertising artifacts)
street scenes
walking
words