This is an archival photo taken on November 26, 2006 on East Third Street opposite the Hells Angels clubhouse, where I made several recent visits with the intention of a doing a post. I have been fascinated for years with the Hells Angels in NYC and their apparent ability to operate with virtual impunity regarding the law - members have been reported to perpetrate random acts of violence and engage in various criminal activities (click here for New York Times article), yet charges have frequently been dropped due to improper searches, lack of witnesses etc. And they rule that city block. I had been warned of the potential danger of being caught shooting their building plus they have six surveillance cameras. On a previous visit, I asked a block resident his advice on taking a photo and he said "I wouldn't do it. Don't be a hero." On my last visit with a friend, I approached a club member going into the building and asked permission to take photos (technically I didn't need it). He let me know that they owned the building, the sidewalk and he didn't want to be on my blog (with a few expletives thrown in). I decided that is was not worth the risk to have a camera wrapped around my head by a Hells Angel, so I slunk back across the street where my friend was waiting and took the above photo. It's interesting that all this occurred just before the recent major incident at the clubhouse - making all the news media (click here for the Gothamist's coverage.) So, instead of the Hells Angels clubhouse, we have a miniature suit of armor with red horns in a window gate AC cage with skulls hanging from it. I have no idea if there is some hidden meaning here or visual pun. Any ideas?
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Soot of Armor
This is an archival photo taken on November 26, 2006 on East Third Street opposite the Hells Angels clubhouse, where I made several recent visits with the intention of a doing a post. I have been fascinated for years with the Hells Angels in NYC and their apparent ability to operate with virtual impunity regarding the law - members have been reported to perpetrate random acts of violence and engage in various criminal activities (click here for New York Times article), yet charges have frequently been dropped due to improper searches, lack of witnesses etc. And they rule that city block. I had been warned of the potential danger of being caught shooting their building plus they have six surveillance cameras. On a previous visit, I asked a block resident his advice on taking a photo and he said "I wouldn't do it. Don't be a hero." On my last visit with a friend, I approached a club member going into the building and asked permission to take photos (technically I didn't need it). He let me know that they owned the building, the sidewalk and he didn't want to be on my blog (with a few expletives thrown in). I decided that is was not worth the risk to have a camera wrapped around my head by a Hells Angel, so I slunk back across the street where my friend was waiting and took the above photo. It's interesting that all this occurred just before the recent major incident at the clubhouse - making all the news media (click here for the Gothamist's coverage.) So, instead of the Hells Angels clubhouse, we have a miniature suit of armor with red horns in a window gate AC cage with skulls hanging from it. I have no idea if there is some hidden meaning here or visual pun. Any ideas?
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4 comments:
I was going to say that you seem to hang out in the nicest places, but I think I'll save judgment on that for a bit....
jb - I hang out in all types of places. I promised diversity - I'm trying to live up to it, which is not too hard if you try to really get around in NYC.
Brian
I think it's a body of someone who once tried to take a picture of the Hell's Angels clubhouse.
Anonymous,
You scared to state your name? Obviously yes. Don't be scared...here's a hug.
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