Simpson Kalisher 1926-2023 | Keith De Lellis Gallery
Simpson Kalisher (American, 1926-2023), Untitled, 1961
Written by Max Wiener
Photo edited by Max Amos-Flom
New York City is a place unique to itself. No other city on Earth has the same ambiance, energy; none even come close. The vibrant energy of the cabs and the timid fizzle of the city’s inhabitants all come together to create a cultural amalgam beyond description. The actual energy of New York can only be captured on the streets, where the characters come into play and fully encapsulate the city’s milieu. Simpson Kalisher, one of the twentieth century’s finest photographers, understands the beauty below the mainstream, surface-level interaction. In his New York Street Photography series, he proved to capture the city’s environment like few artists could. His photography, presented beautifully on the Keith De Lellis Gallery walls, proves that he is a marksman with the camera, and his photographs give us a glimpse into a world far from the present. The series opens on December 7th and has a scheduled closing date of February 2nd.
In Kalisher’s New York, everyone is the star of their show, and through his lens, their lives are amplified to an almost iconic level. Nothing is staged, and no fancy lights are present to create a specific feel in each image. Instead, Kalisher renders himself - and his lens- invisible to the eye, and because of that, the rawness and grittiness of New York are displayed to maximum effect. The bright lights of heater marquees warm our eyes and inspire our souls. The eyes of New Yorkers past peer deep into our psyches and follow us as we pass from image to image. Considering the Keith De Lellis Gallery is in New York, it feels like Kalisher’s characters are present in the room with us, almost as if they are inviting us into their world.
Simpson Kalisher (American, 1926-2023), Untitled, 1949
Each photograph's black and white tones only amplify the meaning of Kalisher’s photography in the present day. It emphasizes that New York is no more, and the capitalist jungle of modern society has taken away some of the city’s culture. Storefronts once prominently displayed owners' names, telling the world of their success and enterprise. Headphones and sunglasses did not block off human interaction in Kalisher’s world. The unknown - the camera lens - was almost welcomed, and the city dwellers seemed to hold a foreigner with more acceptance than ever. It’s a case study into how rapidly we have advanced as a society and how we should use nostalgia to benefit our present. Perhaps Kalisher’s camera can push us into being better versions of ourselves, highlighting what it truly means to be a New Yorker and a human being. We owe it to ourselves to hear other perspectives and be open to our surroundings with curious minds. Simpson Kalisher was, and because of it, the worlds of times gone by seem more appealing than ever.
Simpson Kalisher (American, 1926-2023), Untitled (Staten Island Ferry), 1949
