Playful Photos by Meryl Meisler Document America in the 1970s

Aug 30, 2024

A black and white photo depicts a young child dressed in a Batman costume standing in front of a movie theater entrance. The theater sign reads "Ellwest Stereo Theatres" with "MOVIES 25¢" prominently displayed. Various drawings are posted to the right of the entrance. — MOVIES 25¢ Bat Boy, Mardi Gras, NoLA, February 1977. | Meryl Meisler

Meryl Meisler is perhaps best-known for capturing disco nightlife in New York City in the 1970s but a new book shows her talent for documenting wider American life.

Street Walker is a collection of quirky, playful photographs taken by Meisler as she traveled across the United States in the 70s.

“I didn’t go to photograph. I photographed where I was going,” Meisler says. She frequently spotlighted the LGBTQ+ communities by attending events such as the Castro St. Fair in San Francisco.

Black and white photo of a person serving food and drinks to a car. The person, wearing a T-shirt with a cartoon character, is partially visible above the car's window. The food tray holds drinks and a few food items. The car window frames the scene. — A&W Carhop, North of San Francisco, CA, August 1970.

A person wearing a shawl and heels stands at the entrance of a building with multiple posters advertising live sex shows. The posters contain phrases like "Seeing is Believing" and images of provocative content, indicating adult entertainment. — Judi Jupiter Seeing is Believing, Times Square, NY, NY, June 1978.

A person stands on a sidewalk at night holding the leash of a large dog. The dog is wearing a cone collar and seems to be sniffing a fire hydrant. Another person and a child are visible in the background. The scene is dimly lit. — Coned Canine Sniffs Hydrant Near JudiJupiter, NY, NY, June 1978.

Black and white photo of a person seen through a glass storm door, holding a piece of cloth and a spray bottle, possibly cleaning the door. The door has scalloped trim, and the exterior wall has wooden shingles with the house number "72" and a mailbox. — Marion Cleans Our Window, N. Massapequa, NY, August 1976.

Meisler’s work provides an intimate glimpse into the dynamic cultural landscape of late 20th-century America. Born in the Bronx in 1951 and raised in Massapequa, Long Island, her upbringing in a Jewish household in suburban New York would later inform much of her work, which often explores themes of identity, family, and community.

Meisler’s approach is deeply personal and immersive, often forming a connection with her subjects that brings out genuine and unfiltered moments.

Inspired by the works of Diane Arbus, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Brassaï, and her father Jack Meisler’s family albums, she began her photographic journey in the 1970s.

An illustrator and schoolteacher by day and an incredible photographer by night, her artistic approach blends elements of documentary and street photography, characterized by a playful yet insightful perspective.

Black and white photo showing three children in a stroller on a city sidewalk. Two toddlers, one boy and one girl, sit side-by-side in a twin stroller. To the left, a baby doll rests in a separate smaller stroller. Buildings and cars are visible in the background. — Twin Toddlers and Doll in Strollers, NY, NY, May 1978.

A group of children play on a jungle gym in a playground. One child hangs upside down from the bars while others stand and sit around. All are dressed in warm winter clothing, including coats and hats. The background shows an urban setting with buildings. — Jungle Gym (Elaine, Juan, Leslie, Suzanne & Kids), Goddard Riverside Playground, NY, NY, May 1980.

Black and white photo showing a lively street scene with a crowd of people. In the foreground, a woman in minimal clothing stands while a man, completely nude, is squatting down, seemingly adjusting her footwear. Onlookers surrounding them appear engaged or amused. — Nearly Nude at Castro St. Fair, SF, CA, August 1979.

Black-and-white photo of a casual outdoor gathering on a deck. A man and woman, with backs to the camera, stand close together. People are chatting and relaxing, some seated on lounge chairs, while others stand around with drinks. Trees provide some shade. — Hands in Pants, Fire Island Pines, NY, July 1978.

Black and white photograph of a close-up of two people dancing. They are seen from the waist down, with the person on the left wearing high-heeled sandals and the person on the right wearing formal shoes. The dancers' legs are intertwined and in close proximity. — Long Hair & Bell Bottoms Dance at Going My Way, Madison, WI, August 1978.

Although Meisler is known for candid images from famous New York nightclubs like Studio 54, Paradise Garage, and Hurrah, she also documented life in Bushwick during the 1980s. Her images from this period show the stark contrast between the glamorous world of Manhattan’s nightclubs and the everyday struggles in Brooklyn. Her work provides an insightful look at the resilience of communities amidst urban decay and social challenges.

Black and white image of a busy street scene featuring storefronts, including retro signs for realty businesses. A person sits in a dunk tank labeled "Dunk a Fellow for Freedom" as onlookers gather around. Buildings have vintage architecture, and people are dressed in 1980s attire. — DUNK A FELLOW FOR FREEDOM, Castro St. Fair, SF, CA August 1979.

A black and white photograph showing a man wearing a leather harness and hat sitting in a wheelchair while another person in leather leans over him. They're surrounded by a crowd of people in casual clothing, some smiling. The scene is lively with buildings in the background. — Patricia O’Brien Sees Couple Kiss at Castro St. Fair, SF, CA, August 1979.

Two people in swimsuits embrace on a sandy beach. One has a towel wrapped around their head and is holding a drink can. In the background, other beachgoers are walking along the shore and swimming in the ocean. — Toweled Lesbian Kiss Between Cherry Grove & Fire Island Pines, NY, July.

COLOR TELEVISION, Mardi Gras, NOLA, February 1977.

Last year, PetaPixel featured Mesiler’s frenetic photos from night clubs in New York City as she had her first retrospective at CLAMP Gallery in the Flower District of the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan.

She explains how she had an epiphany while standing beneath a disco ball at a dance club in Bushwick. It was at that moment she realized that her photos of nightclubs and humble streetcorners could be shown together to tell the complex story of New York City and the wider country.