I had a truly wonderful time yesterday evening at the Fotografiska opening reception of Urban Lyrics a touring retrospective of Helen Levitt Photography. Levitt may not be as well known outside America but this retrospective offers a unique opportunity to view a grate selection of Levitt’s exceptional imagery.

A must see exhibition that will not disappoint any amature, professional or student with an interest in old school vintage master photography. Congratulations to management at Fotografiska and especially to the curators Maria Patomella Fotografiska and Jorge Ribalta MACBA Barcelona, Spain for organising a very special and successful exhibition.

I highly recommend taking the time to sit through ” In The Street”  a short film of moving images which for me sets the scene and captures the essence and soul of the whole exhibition. This film is exceptional and simply captures the rare moments of hope and joy in the lives of the playful children of Manhattan in and about the time of the grate depression.

In the film makers own words:

The streets of the poor quarters of grate cities are, above all, a theatre, and a battleground. There, unaware and unnoticed, every human being is a poet, a masker, a warrior, a dancer: and in his innocent artistry he projects, against the turmoil of the street, an image of human existence. The attempt in this short film is to capture this image.

James Agee, Helen Levitt, Janice Lobe