Amy Horowitz — A Walk in the Park?

Review by Lee Halvorsen •

Amy Horowitz takes us for A Walk in the Park and magically transports the reader into the stories of those she’s photographing. Washington Square Park and the West Village in New York City are rich with diversity and young people discovering themselves and adulthood in today’s world. Horowitz brings us face-to-face with their emotions and gives us a hint of their fears, their wonder, their confidence and a peek into what they might one day become.

This street photography book is an artistic work of human portraiture, more than the technical quality of the images (which are very high), more than the variety of outward appearances (or armor, Horwitz says), more than a fleeting click of the shutter. The images tell of a human connection between Horowitz and the subject captured in the moment by her camera. But why are these different than most?

“Whatever you do, don’t smile,” is Horowitz’s prompt when making images with her subjects. Her IG address is @dont_smile_nyc. I think this creates a unique dynamic, the subject “projects” instead of passively looking into the camera or traditionally posing. The phrase creates an implied relationship, “We are just two people learning about each other using the camera as a tool.”

Horowitz asked some of her subjects to write something about themselves that a stranger wouldn’t know. Many of them did and some are included in the inside jacket of the book. The writings are very telling about the journeys Horowitz found in their eyes, their faces, their clothing, and their attitudes. Some examples, “I feel constant regret for the choices I make every day.” And, “I like animals more than people.” And, “My tongue can touch the tip of my nose. :)”

Self-expression, confidence and/or doubt and/or vulnerability and/or strength are on every page, on every face. Horowitz’s connection with her subjects translates directly into the images she’s made and then from the pages of the book to the reader. She spent several years on the streets in the City connecting with many, many people. Some of the subjects might even be “repeats” even though the look/expression might be quite different.

Horowitz finds her subjects because of their bold presentation in hair, tattoos, clothing, and really any eye-catching element that might lead her to a story and a connection. The reader is treated to a wide variety of “looks” but moments later will connect with the person in the image, that’s the wonder of Horowitz’s ability…to make the human connection and bring it onto her sensor and then the page.

This is Horowitz’s first book and it’s truly a great one. The look and feel of the book shouts, “Read me!!” Each page turn brought me a different story; I speculated about the story of each person but know it’s their story to write. I’m glad Horowitz captured this tiny slice of who they are right now. I very much enjoyed this work and know you will, too.

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Lee Halvorsen is assistant editor, writer and visual artist living in Virginia.

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A Walk in the Park? by Amy Horowitz

Artist: Amy Horowitz living and working in New York City

Foreword: Amy Horowitz

Publisher: Schilt Publishing & Gallery, Amsterdam

Website for purchasing book.

Printed by: Offizin Scheufele, Stuttgart, Germany

Binding: Idupa Schübelin GmbH, Owen, Germany

Book design: Victor Levie, Amsterdam

Language: English

Otabind Softcover with Flaps, 320 pages, 166 color images, 16 x 24 cm, ISBN 978-90-5330-964-3

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