Drawn to the public beach for its lessthan glamorous reputation, photographer wayne lawrence felt a connection to the community as soon as he began. Wayne lawrences images of city dwellers on orchard beach, known as the bronx riviera, show a notorious neighbourhood in all its tough glory sarah. Photographer wayne lawrence and journalist david gonzalez have an indepth conversation about lawrences new. Perhaps youre thinking about taking a weekend getaway in the jersey shore, or even long island. The beach sits on the long island sound and offers a oneofakind view of city island. It contains a set of twin pavilions, which were both landmarked by the new york city landmarks preservation commission in 2006. And the trek for the saint kittsborn, brooklyn based artist was no easy journey, as he describes in his book orchard beach. If you need to get out of the sun, take a leisurely walk on the promenade and stop into some of the many shops and food venues. Orchard like much of the south bronx had a fearsome rep.
Love it or hate it, its the only beach in the bronx and actually has much to offer families. Other, bronxspecific nicknames for orchard beach include the riviera of the bronx or the bronx riviera. As bronxs sole public beach, it has been long stigmatized as a ghetto beach. Orchard beach is a public beach in the bronx, new york city. There is a long promenade, a mile walkway, with many food carts and and beer carts. Cutting for stone by abraham verghese, my beloved world by sonia sotomayor, kitchen privileges.
Photographing the bronx riviera, new yorks unloved beach. Wayne lawrence this title presents a collection of engaging and beautiful portraits by wayne lawrence. A raging success, the socalled riviera of new york city attracted over 50,000 visitors the first weekend it was open. Formerly known as the riviera of new york city, orchard beach, the bronxs only beach, is still a popular hotspot on a hot day. Orchard beach, a beach built in the 1930s, may not be the most scenic place in new york, but the closest and only place to go swimming and spend a day at the beach in the bronx. Orchard beach is a unique find as it is the only beach in bronx, new york, making it quite the popular location. The city was going broke, and little could be done to keep up the appearance of order. There are so many characters from so many different backgrounds and walks of life between these pages. My sister and i were brand new immigrants from italy. Formerly known as the riviera of new york city, orchard beach, the bronx s only beach, is still a popular hotspot on a hot day. This crescentshaped beach was once known as the riviera of new york when it was first created in the 1930s. Situated in the northeastern bronx, the bronx riviera has always been considered an oasis in the concrete jungle for immigrant working class families. Orchard beach in the bronx was opened by parks commissioner robert moses in the 1930s.
In robert caros pulitzer prize winning classic the power broker. Wayne lawrence is a documentary photographer based in brooklyn ny. The bronx riviera, by wayne lawrence this particular book is a favourite of mine for all the diversity that is within the pages. Created in the 1930s, orchard beach was proclaimed the riviera of new york. Photographing the bronx riviera, new yorks unloved beach by allison meier october 31, 20 orchard beach in the bronx doesnt exactly have the best reputation. Did you know that orchard beach was originally planned to be the riviera of new york. It celebrates the diversity and community of one of new york citys most popular beaches.
Orchard beach photographs and text bywayne lawrence. Drawn to the public beach this collection of engaging and beautiful portraits by wayne lawrence celebrates the diversity and community of one of new york. The bronx is considered one of the most diverse communities in america, as well as the home of hip hop and salsa. These are real people, in everyday life enjoying time at the beach. An icon of the bronx, orchard beach is sometimes called the bronx riviera, the riviera of new york city, hood beach, or the working class riviera. Article describes scene during summer at orchard beach in bronx. Dice and card games ruled along one stretch known as las vegas alley. Orchard beach, pelham bay park, bronx, new york city youtube. Orchard beach, bronxs sole public beach, was proclaimed the riviera of new york when it was created in the 1930s. Orchard beach is part of pelham bay nyc park park office phone 7188852275. Sometimes called the bronx riviera, orchard beach is the only public beach in the bronx. A very casual outdoor event held in the summer in a huge cement dancing area next to the boardwalk and beach at orchard beach, bronx. Immediately catching the viewers eye is the extravagant style of many of the photographs subjects a quest for identity and sense of belonging.
Orchard beach, pelham bay park, bronx, new york city orchard beach, known as the riviera of the bronx, is a small. Affectionately known as the bronx riviera, orchard beach sits at the northeastern tip of the bronx, a stones throw from city island and part of the larger pelham bay park. This page was created for both past and present ob lifeguards to share pictures, stories and a way to organize some reunion events. Since its founding in 1971, the museum has played a vital role in the bronx by helping to make art accessible to the entire community and connecting with. It is a manmade beach crescent shaped beach looking out over long island sound. In 2005, photographer wayne lawrence set out to shoot the most charismatic, interesting and stylish beachgoers in all of new york and, for him, that didnt mean. Robert moses and the fall of new york vintage books 1974 he describes orchard beach, a 1. The sand was littered with broken glass, beercan pull tabs, and soda. The bronx riviera prestel, a stunning collection of nearly 100 portraits that are strong, sexy, and powerful.
This collection of engaging and beautiful portraits by wayne lawrence. Long stigmatized as ghetto beach that had a fearsome rep orchard beach has come to see better days in recent years as eloquently documented by wayne through his intimate portraits telling personal. The bronxs only beach has been a part of nyc history for years and is still an easy beach getaway for many new yorkers. When you think of new york city, what beaches come to mind. Orchard beach might not be the most elegant place to sunbathe, but if you live in the bronx, its the closest place to swim, relax on the sand, and escape the citys oppressive summer heat. Every summer weekend, my parents took me and my sister to the bronx rivera, orchard beach in pelham bay park. Long stigmatized as ghetto beach that had a fearsome rep orchard. Photographer wayne lawrence has been documenting orchard beach for six summers.
Orchard beach wayne lawrence, david gonzalez design. The bronx riviera, published this month by prestel. We went there for the first time and i think the last time. Guide to orchard beach, nyc miles away travel blog.
The bronx museum of the arts is an internationally recognized cultural destination that presents innovative contemporary art exhibitions and education programs and is committed to promoting crosscultural dialogues for diverse audiences. Wayne lawrences images of city dwellers on orchard beach, known as the bronx riviera, show a notorious neighbourhood in all its tough glory published. Im crazy about his photographic publication orchard beach. The photographs in orchard beach the bronx riviera celebrate the pride and dignity of the beachs visitors, workingclass people. A new book of photographs by wayne lawrence called orchard beach. The bronx riviera has soothed generations of families weary of summer grit. Orchard beach in the bronx doesnt exactly have the best reputation. I was two years old when we came to new york with our parents in 1956.
Photographer wayne lawrence spent four years trying to capture the spirit of orchard beach. I rode the train uptown from kingstonthroop, switching at fulton street to the number 4 train. It is a public beach and i guess the whole bronx goes there. This collection of engaging and beautiful portraits by wayne lawrence celebrates the diversity and community of one of new york citys most popular beaches.
Photographing the bronx riviera, new york s unloved beach. The bronx riviera consist of beautiful images of strong and proud men and women, families and couples. The beach is part of pelham bay park and is situated on the western end of long island sound. People used to rip up wood planks from park benches and set them alight.
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