Superman lands in the embattled 1970s South Bronx and gets a friendly reception. This is an early example of Stage Photography and prefigures other art movements, such as appropriation art, that reflect American pop culture. In 1976, the South Bronx was literally a war zone in appearance and in action. It was a dangerous place to pass through and highly dangerous to walk around with a Nikon camera and a life-size cutout of Superman. This present photograph of two young, Puerto Rican boys, arm-in-arm with Superman, conjures too many metaphors to list. The most obvious is that, among the rubble and burnt-out buildings, two poor kids are having a great time. This work is signed, dated, and numbered 2/15 recto, unframed; printed later; other sizes available; printed on Hahnemühle Fine Art paper.
Shot on Kodachrome, 25. Robert Funk has worn many hats: Fine Art Photographer, New York Advertising Art Director for Print and TV. Internet Pioneer and Gallerist. He was widely published in the 1970s and 1980s.