Posts Tagged ‘Henry Chalfant’

Through her photography, Martha Cooper, has been documenting the evolution of Hip Hop since the late 1970s.  I’d venture to say that her contributions in this arena are unparalleled by any single individual, particularly in terms of archiving Graffiti – which is often here today, and gone tomorrow.

Her introduction to what would become Hip Hop, began with a personal project of photographing children in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NYC.  At the time, the area was in complete devastation, and resembled a war zone, with its huge blocks of abandoned apartment buildings.  She was interested in how the local kids were creatively using their environment to entertain themselves (”Street Play“, 2005) which naturally, led her to discover Graffiti and B-Boys, and in turn, DJs and MCs.

Martha Cooper is probably best know for a book called, “Subway Art”, produced with another Graffiti photo legend, Henry Chalfant.  Originally published in 1984, Subway Art became the “Bible of the Graffiti Movement” (along with the movie “Style Wars“) for aspiring Writers living outside NYC.  Last year, a hard copy Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition was published with updated photos – definitely a must have for your collection!

Martha Cooper continues to document and archive Hip Hop history with her new book, “Name Tagging”, which is schedule for release March 23, 2010.  It can be pre-ordered though Amazon.  Name Tagging is actually her third book specifically looking at the Graffiti Tag (and its history and evolution).  The first was “Tag Town”, published in 2007  and “Going Postal“  in 2009.

In Name Tagging, graffiti photography legend Martha Cooper presents a dizzying array of “Hello My Name Is” stickers adorned with tags, the origin of graffiti and today’s street art cultures. Cooper’s introduction, artist interviews and photographs make clear how artists famed and anonymous take advantage of the accessibility and practicality of name tag stickers. From CLAW MONEY and NECK FACE to TWIST, SURE, FAUST, COSBE and many, many more, Cooper’s camera has captured the artistry and audacity of these artists and their distinctive tags.

Name Tagging recognizes the variety and innovation of tags, crediting the form’s history while demonstrating how old school methods breed some of today’s most exciting graffiti.

If you’re into Hip-Hop history, another significant book that you definitely want to check out is, “Hip Hop Files: Photographs, 1979 – 1984” (2004).  Here’s a great interview about the book:

From OnPoint, here’s another very insightful interview with Martha Cooper.  She talks about her introduction to Graffiti and Hip Hop, and touches on a few of her books, including Street Play, Subway Art and Hip Hop Files.

Also, take a minute to peep Martha’s blog on 12oz Prophet and her personal website, KodakGirl.

Bibliography of related books by Martha Cooper:

Subway Art, Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, Thames and Hudson, London, 1984, Henry Holt, New York, 1984.

R.I.P.: New York Spraycan Memorials, Thames and Hudson, 1994

Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979-1984, From Here to Fame, 2004

Street Play, From Here to Fame, 2005

We B*Girlz, text by Nika Kramer, Powerhouse Cultural Entertainment Books, 2005

New York State of Mind, Powerhouse, 2007

Tag Town: The Evolution of New York Graffiti Writing, Dokument Press, 2007

Going Postal, Mark Batty Publisher, 2009

Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition, Chronicle Books Llc, 2009

Name Tagging, Mark Batty Publisher, 2010