Book Launch: Joseph Rodriguez's El Barrio in the '80s

Join the Museum of the City of New York and Union Settlement to celebrate the book launch of “Spanish Harlem: El Barrio in the '80s”. 

When Brooklyn-raised photographer Joseph Rodriguez first debuted his body of work shot in Spanish Harlem in the 1980s, it truly captured the spirit of the neighborhood. At that time, El Barrio was confronted with some of the city’s most endemic problems including crime, drugs, AIDS, and chronic unemployment. Despite this grim prognosis, the neighborhood maintained a vibrant community and sense of pride. Now, three decades later, Rodriguez's new book Spanish Harlem: El Barrio in the '80s revisits his groundbreaking photographs, uncovering new images and re-framing the project as one that pushed beyond documentary into the realm of fine art.

Rodriguez will discuss his experience photographing the neighborhood, share the stories behind the images, and sign books afterwards.

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