Makayla White
In the late 1970s New York City was a world away from the polished metropolis it is today. It’s a city grappling with its demons – crime, poverty, and a crumbling infrastructure paint a picture of urban decay. Tourists are warned to stick to the well-lit avenues of Midtown, to retreat indoors as darkness falls, and to stay alert. It’s a city that demands resilience, a city that tests the mettle of its inhabitants.
Into this volatile landscape steps Manel Armengol, a Spanish photojournalist with a fearless spirit and a keen eye for social change. He’s not here for the glitz and glamour; he’s drawn to the raw, unfiltered reality of a city in crisis.
Armengol, seasoned by his experiences documenting Spain’s turbulent transition to democracy, is undeterred by New York’s reputation. He sees beyond the headlines, beyond the grim statistics. He’s here to capture the human stories that unfold amidst the chaos, to document the resilience and spirit of a city on the edge.
Armed with his camera, Armengol ventures beyond the tourist-friendly zones, immersing himself in the vibrant neighborhoods of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. He captures the everyday lives of New Yorkers – the workers, the immigrants, the artists, the hustlers – all navigating the challenges of a city in flux.
His photographs depict to the city’s struggles. Crumbling buildings, scarred by neglect and adorned with graffiti, stand as silent witnesses to the economic hardship. The subway cars, once symbols of progress, are now canvases for a generation’s discontent. The streets, teeming with life, are also a stage for poverty, addiction, and desperation.
Armengol also captured the vibrant street life of the Lower East Side, where cultures collide and communities thrive. He documents the birth of hip-hop in the Bronx, where young voices find expression through music and dance. He shows us a New York that is vibrant, complex, and full of life. His photographs remind us that even in the darkest of times, there is beauty, there is hope, and there is the indomitable human spirit.
More info: Flickr
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