Peep shows. Dive bars. Greasy-spoon diners. Graffiti-covered subway cars. Messy, Times Square hotel rooms. These are the hallmarks of the old, weird Manhattan. And while we now live in a safer, cleaner city than we did in the ’70s, it’s hard not to long for that grittier, riskier New York (not to mention its considerably lower rents) every now and then. So we’re thankful to Gothamist for pointing us to Alan Wolfson’s incredibly detailed dioramas of the city as it once was. Recreating real landmarks (the Subway Inn bar, Village Cigars, Nathan’s) and forming composites inspired by others, the Brooklyn-born artist evokes what many still think of as the “real” New York, down to the tiniest sticker on a window or porn mag on a rack of X-rated reading material. Page through a gallery of Wolfson’s art after the jump, and be sure to visit his website to see a whole lot more.
Alan Wolfson, Peepworld, 2007, 17.5” x 22.25” x 26” (partial view)
Alan Wolfson, Peepworld, 2007, 17.5” x 22.25” x 26” (Subway Inn interior)
Alan Wolfson, Peepworld, 2007, 17.5” x 22.25” x 26” (Rack of tiny porn magazines)
Alan Wolfson, Peepworld, 2007, 17.5” x 22.25” x 26” (Peep show performer’s dressing room, complete with pizza and cocaine)
Alan Wolfson, Peepworld, 2007, 17.5” x 22.25” x 26”
Alan Wolfson, Canal St. Cross-Section, 2009-2010, 27” x 23.5” x 19.5” (street view)
Alan Wolfson, Canal St. Cross-Section, 2009-2010, 27” x 23.5” x 19.5” (subway station)
Alan Wolfson, Canal St. Cross-Section, 2009-2010, 27” x 23.5” x 19.5” (subway car)
Alan Wolfson, Canal St. Cross-Section, 2009-2010, 27” x 23.5” x 19.5”
Alan Wolfson, Village Cigars, 1985, 14” x 15” x 19”
Alan Wolfson, Times Square Hotel Room, 1982, 13.4” x 18.5” x 20”
Alan Wolfson, Nathan’s Coney Island, 1986, 16.4” x 22.5” x 20”
Alan Wolfson, True Love in Brooklyn, 1990, 10.5” x 17.25” x 15.25”
Alan Wolfson, Terminal Diner, 1990, 15” x 20.5” x 20.5”
Alan Wolfson, Brooklyn Rooftop, 2005, 8.75” x 14.5” x 13.5”