Fernando Natalici Patti Astor The Foreigner New York 1977:
Actress and legendary downtown NY scenester Patti Astor, photographed during the filming of "The Foreigner" by celebrated New York underground photographer Fernando Natalici - East Village, New York 1977.
The Foreigner (director Amos Poe 1977) - a seminal cinematic work at the height of the 1970's American underground - a film which has been documented in virtually every publication pertaining to the history of the late 70's New York Downtown Art scene.
Silver gelatin print 1977.
Dimensions: 8x10 inches.
Hand-signed & numbered on the reverse from an edition of 5 AP’s (artist proofs).
Minor signs of handling; good overall vintage condition.
Obtained directly from artist. Lot 180 Gallery New York is an authorized primary dealer rep of Fernando Natalici.
About The Artist:
New York based photographer Fernando Natalici is best known for his iconographic documentation of the downtown Manhattan art scene of the mid/late 70's and early 80's. Natalici’s portfolio includes sought after images of a young Patti Smith, Blondie, Talking Heads, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Ramones and more. As an Art Director, Fernando has played a key role in creating memorable visuals for historic NY venues such as CBGB's, The Mudd Club, Area and Danceteria.
Fernando’s photo archive and art design were recently featured in two highly regarded New York shows: “Area” at The Hole Gallery NYC (2014) & “Downtown New York Film” at The Museum of The Moving Image (2015).
"The Foreigner" is a testament to the "punk" sensibility as manifested at CBGB during this time; the streets and lofts of SoHo and the Lower East Side art scene.
More on Patti Astor:
“Patti Astor was queen of the downtown scene. She arrived in NYC in 1975 with stardom on her mind. In a short time, she was in demand in underground No Wave films and was one of the creative sparks that put the East Village on the cultural map. But Patti Astor was also sick of the "established" uptown art gallery scene, filled with "white walls, white wine, and white people." She knew many graffiti and hip-hop artists, and understood that like the punk artists playing downtown, the uptown rappers and painters used the city as a backbeat and canvas for their work. When Astor and partner Bill Stalling launched FUN Gallery in 1981, they moved graffiti and hip-hop into a gallery space, bringing uptown sensibilities downtown. FUN Gallery's goal was to be a gallery for artists not buyers. It opened its doors to the people and kids who actually lived in the East Village. Patti Astor wanted art for everyone.
FUN was the place artists could show without losing any of their street creds, and so the work of many of the cutting edge artists of the early 1980s--such as Jean Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Dondi, Futura 2000, FAB 5 FREDDY, Lee Quinones, Kenny Sharif, and Lady Pink--could be seen there. It also was known for its terrific parties. FUN Gallery was only around for four years, but in that short time, it was instrumental in opening up the art world to creativity wherever it's found.” (Source: Josephine Reed)
Offered by Lot 180 Gallery New York. Based in New York City, Lot 180 brings to market a treasure trove of carefully curated Pop Art for collectors of all levels - specializing in works and rare collectibles from Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami, KAWS & more: https://www.1stdibs.com/dealers/lot-180/ Follow us @lot180
