Are these moments really happening?

Visions of Engagement

In this pre-social media era, personal branding was largely formed through reputation & the consistent delivery of high-quality work. Industry events hosted social gatherings where networking was done in person. Success often depended on relationships built over years of hard work rather than an online following.

‍

A decent profile grid, those candid images & a visually pleasing aesthetic to embellish the sight of everyday living seem to give you the ins to being a creative in today's industry.

‍

Ryan McGinley cataloged over 5 years

For McGinley, this was just about the energy of being young, wild and free. Portraits of moments so raw, gritty & unfiltered. None of this was about art as a career. This habit of engagement was naturally carefree & made a name for their crew. The dynamic among this group of young friends, through McGinley’s lens, portrayed the spontaneity of New York City’s youth in the early 2000s.

‍

"I was so psychotically obsessed with documenting my life,” he said. “All I wanted to do was take pictures of anything and everything. One of my favorite things to do back then would be to go out and get completely demolished and take tons of photos. Then I’d get the film developed and they were like evidence of whatever I had done that night because I usually couldn’t remember any of it.” McGinley admitted to Vice in an interview.

‍

McGinley’s psychotic obsession to document his drug & alcohol-fueled nights with the surrogate family he formed with friends & fellow artists. This unconventional style was exclusive before social media came to slam this door shut.

‍

‍

None of this needed direction. All of the moments that happened were captured and McGinley was there to get the shot. The direction was the energy they transmuted amongst one another. Ryan Mcginley shot over 10,000 Polaroid photos. Almost 20 years ago, the Whitney Museum debuted Ryan McGinley's “The Kids Were Alright” which captured a particular place & time in New York City. Making him the youngest artist to ever hold a solo exhibition.

‍

Before we had Instagram & TikTok or the ability to monetize an online presence, there were other ways to advance. Success in life depended on a combination of hard work, perseverance & the value of your engagement with established systems of business, academia, and creative institutions. Only a small percentage of individuals had to focus on their presentation for the rest of the world.

‍

Although the methods of engagement have evolved, many of the foundational principles of achievement and perseverance remain timeless.

‍

The rawness of McGinleys work was undeniable. Images of nude bodies, spontaneity, blurry nights, and tender moments grab hold of the audience. 

‍

McGinley captured some of the best & worst moments which helped to create a body of work that made McGinley a bona-fide, post millennial star that shifted culture.