Glen E. Friedman’s new photography exhibition opened in London last night at the beautiful gallery on 14 Henrietta Street. Queues of people turned up to celebrate the opening of his iconic skate and music photography exhibition My Rules, his first show since 1997 at the ICA.
The building, made up of many small rooms and staircases, seems a perfect fit for this show. Many of his most famous shots grace the bare brick walls including classic work with Black Flag, Fugazi, Minor Threat, Tony Alva, Duane Peters, LL Cool J, Jello Biafra, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Ice Cube, and the late Jay Adams (RIP) to name but a few. Audio installations are also set up in various rooms with words from Ice-T, Ian MacKaye, Alan “Ollie” Gelfand and an unreleased audio interview between Adams and Friedman recorded throughout the making of the book.
It’s an intelligent walk down memory lane from a golden era in music and skateboard culture throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s that in retrospect, seems so innocent and compelling in comparison to today’s capitalist, internet-led culture. Song writers who changed a generation with their lyrics and ground breaking music within punk rock and hip hop culture are set amongst pool and back yard ramp sessions that speak a thousand words, all caught in the moment and frozen in time by Friedman’s lens. It’s a must see for anyone interested in reminiscing a legendary golden era characterized by a generation with a voice, fueled by passion and creativity.
Get yourself down to 14 Henrietta St, Covent Garden, WC2H where entry is by voluntary donation. You can purchase copies of the new My Rules book, posters and t-shirts at the show that runs until January 18th 2015.
