Capturing the Soul of SoHo: Jean-Andre Antoine's Timeless Street Portraits
FROM PRINCE STREET WITH LOVE
Step onto the corner of Prince Street and Broadway in SoHo, NYC and you'll find yourself in a vibrant whirlwind of activity. Amidst the bustling crowd of shoppers, artists, and tourists, there stands Jean-Andre Antoine, a street photographer who has turned this corner into his "office." With his trusty 1947 Crown Graphic camera in hand, Antoine captures the essence of New York City by photographing its most unique inhabitants.
God, I miss you NYC!!!
Unlike traditional street photographers who wander the city in search of the perfect shot, Antoine prefers to let the city come to him. Stationed on this iconic corner, he waits for the perfect "original"—his term for the distinct personalities that only New York can offer. Writers, street artists, musicians, models, filmmakers, and countless other characters become his subjects, each captured in the candid chaos of the city streets. Antoine's technique is as rare as his subjects. His 1947 Crown Graphic camera uses instant film that is long out of production, making each photograph a precious artifact. The film, sourced from around the globe, often carries built-in distortions due to its expired nature, adding an element of unpredictability to each shot. This unpredictability, combined with the fleeting nature of street photography, creates images that are truly one-of-a-kind.
The installation at Fotografiska NYC showcases over 50 original polaroids selected from Antoine's personal archive. These photographs represent not just the faces of NY but the city's very soul, captured through the eyes of a man who understands its rhythms like no other. Each photograph is a testament to Antoine's philosophy: "While society is in the crux of a digital revolution, I try achieving a sense of timelessness by framing contemporary subjects in the gaze of my classic camera."
This exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of the people who pass by Antoine's corner of the world, their stories told through the lens of a vintage camera. The images are as much about the process as they are about the final product, a celebration of analog artistry in a digital age.
Born in 1983 in Harlem, Jean-Andre Antoine has made a name for himself as an analog street photographer with a flair for capturing the extraordinary in everyday life. Mentored by legendary street photographer Louis Mendes, Antoine has refined his technique to perfection. His collaborations with commercial brands like Disney, Cartier, Nike, and Tiffany & Co. demonstrate his versatility and ability to capture the essence of a moment in one shot.
In 2022, Antoine co-founded "My Eye Got Lazy," a magazine dedicated to street photography culture. His work continues to inspire both seasoned photographers and newcomers alike, reminding us of the beauty and complexity found in the simplest of encounters. Antoine's exhibition is more than just a display of photographs; it's a journey through the vibrant tapestry of New York City, an invitation to see the world through the eyes of a master storyteller. So next time you find yourself on Prince Street, take a moment to appreciate the artistry of Jean-Andre Antoine, capturing the timeless spirit of SoHo, one portrait at a time.
