From lockdown silence to Black Lives outrage: scenes of street life from a volatile year, by the acclaimed author of Great: Photographs of Hip Hop
Mel D. Cole has spent the last 20 years documenting music, nightlife and more. In April 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Cole started driving around New York City documenting the streets. But when George Floyd was murdered, Cole dedicated the rest of 2020 and beyond to photographing the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the country, and their ramifications. In addition to canvassing the action in New York City, Cole traveled to cover protests in Washington, DC, Houston, Minneapolis, Richmond, Virginia and more. The body of work he has produced from the electrifying summer of 2020 and beyond is a powerful outpouring of the hurt, outrage and courage of people compelled to take action following Floyd’s brutal murder. Inspired by the black-and-white documentary tradition of the 1960s, Cole seeks to create what he calls “a collective memory” that continues the legacy of the civil rights movement. New York–based self-taught photographer Mel D. Cole (born 1976) is one of hip hop’s most accomplished and celebrated photographers, with a career spanning almost 20 years. He released his first book, Great: Photographs of Hip Hop, in February 2020.
Featured image, "New York, NY 5.30.20," is reproduced from 'Mel D. Cole: American Protest'.
PRAISE AND REVIEWS
AnOther
Orla Brennan
Mel D. Cole’s moving new book documents the Black Lives Matter protests which swept America last year in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
Bookforum
Yxta Maya Murray
Cole does not just fill his collection with pictures of the Black body in torment. Alongside the fury, the protests’ ebullient side is richly depicted.
Friday, February 4 at 7 PM, Fotografiska New York presents Mel D. Cole, one of hip hop’s most accomplished and celebrated photographers, discussing his latest book, American Protest: Photographs 2020–2021, published by Damiani Books. The book visually documents the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the country and Cole hopes it will serves as a “a collective memory” that continues the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. The conversation will be moderated by the Founder of Team Epiphany, Coltrane Curtis. Order tickets here. continue to blog
Featured image, titled "New York, NY 3.5.21," is reproduced from Mel D. Cole's searing photography book, American Protest: Photographs 2020–2021, documenting the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the country following the murder of George Floyd in May of 2020, alongside other emotionally loaded events. Cole has said, "Shooting the Black Lives Matter movement is the most important work of my entire life. It meant the world to me to document and do this service. This is what I have, this is what I can bring to the table, and it’s my eye, my platform to tell the stories." Please join us for the in-person launch of the book, taking place Friday, February 4, at Fotografiska New York, where Cole will appear in conversation with Coltrane Curtis, Founder of Team Epiphany. continue to blog
FORMAT: Hbk, 8 x 11.5 in. / 144 pgs. LIST PRICE: U.S. $45.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $61 ISBN: 9788862087544 PUBLISHER: Damiani AVAILABLE: 11/30/2021 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Out of stock indefinitely AVAILABILITY: Not available TERRITORY: NA LA
Mel D. Cole: American Protest Photographs 2020–2021
Published by Damiani. Introduction by Jamie Lee Curtis.
From lockdown silence to Black Lives outrage: scenes of street life from a volatile year, by the acclaimed author of Great: Photographs of Hip Hop
Mel D. Cole has spent the last 20 years documenting music, nightlife and more. In April 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Cole started driving around New York City documenting the streets. But when George Floyd was murdered, Cole dedicated the rest of 2020 and beyond to photographing the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the country, and their ramifications.
In addition to canvassing the action in New York City, Cole traveled to cover protests in Washington, DC, Houston, Minneapolis, Richmond, Virginia and more. The body of work he has produced from the electrifying summer of 2020 and beyond is a powerful outpouring of the hurt, outrage and courage of people compelled to take action following Floyd’s brutal murder. Inspired by the black-and-white documentary tradition of the 1960s, Cole seeks to create what he calls “a collective memory” that continues the legacy of the civil rights movement.
New York–based self-taught photographer Mel D. Cole (born 1976) is one of hip hop’s most accomplished and celebrated photographers, with a career spanning almost 20 years. He released his first book, Great: Photographs of Hip Hop, in February 2020.
