A Noise Portal: Capturing Brooklyn's Underground Rave Scene
Text by Oman Morí
In the heart of Brooklyn, modern rituals are emerging, attracting a diverse congregation of enthusiasts who gather amidst the raw, pulsating beats of electronic music. Within abandoned industrial spaces, a surreal transformation takes place, as lights and smoke merge to create a dreamlike realm. Conversation is minimal, while dark silhouettes and faded faces dominate the scene. Multicolored lights paint the atmosphere, obscuring our senses and allowing us to connect with our most primal and inner instincts. In this space, where photography is often prohibited, inhibitions dissolve, freeing the crowd on the dance floor from the gaze of the camera.
Chilean photographer Igal Albala blends his lenses with the emotions of the moment. His work serves as an accomplice of someone deeply immersed in these ritualistic gatherings. For a year, Igal has been immersed in documenting the underground rave scene of Brooklyn, capturing the transformation of industrial spaces into electronic sanctuaries by independent collectives. Through the lens of Igal, we are invited into sacred spaces that offer comfort, community, and the courage to confront adversity. These places may seem abandoned during the day, but they come alive at night, bringing together individuals who seek a sense of belonging, and the collective joy that music and dance can provide.
Igal's commitment is evident as he awakens at dawn, around 4 or 5 a.m., to venture out and capture these secret parties. As attendees are bathed in the intrusive daylight, they transition from a world of darkness and suggestive forms back to the realities of their daily lives. Igal's work is a study in contrasts, showcasing the stark industrial landscapes in which these events take place and the ethereal, pulsating life that unfolds within them.
He created a body of work that seldom sees the light beyond these venues. In the process, Igal discovered independent collectives with a passion for fine art, leading him to exhibit his work in the very locations where his images were born. It's a feedback loop, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between the artist and the community.
A Noise Portal will be on display for a month starting October 19 at one of these underground locations. For more information, please visit the photographer's social media or the event page.
