In early 2011, I was in an elevator in NYC and an elderly man turned to me and asked, “You’re a photographer, aren’t you?” I wasn’t carrying a camera and was taken aback. He ‘could see it in my eyes,’ he told me. I was looking for the ‘decisive moment,’ he told me. I was flattered to have even a perfunctory comparison to Cartier-Bresson.

When the man got off the elevator, another rider turned to me and asked, “Do you know who that was?”

It was Ellsworth Kelly.

I was saddened to hear that he passed away last week at the age of 92. His prolific career spanned 70 years and his works of geometric minimalism inspired countless young artists. His work was shockingly simple, yet profound, once you let it live the life it asked for.

My epiphany came after seeing his piece Ground Zero, 2003 in MoMA PS1's exhibition September 11, curated by Peter Eleey.

Last night, I finally had a chance to dig up an image I took of him, talking with another great, Richard Serra, at an opening a few months after our elevator encounter. Ellsworth and I kept up correspondence, albeit a small one, after sending him a copy. I found it incredibly meaningful and I quickly came to appreciate his greatness.

Here’s an interview with him from 2013:

What a massive talent. RIP.

The Twelve O’Clock Boys — a group of renegade dirt bike riders named for the signature trick they pride themselves on, frequently transform the streets of Baltimore into a playground for their dramatic and dangerous athleticism.

These pictures aim simply to celebrate one aspect of Baltimore’s unique culture.

I shot them while working on a documentary film, which premiered a few years ago at SXSW. For better or worse, the group has since become a pretty insane internet sensation, there are copycat riders all over country, and the images have been remixed and memeified countless times. Just search #12oclockboys on your platform of choice.

Frequently playing a cat and mouse game with the Baltimore police, weaving through traffic, and performing for each other, the ‘pack’ rally the community for their impromptu rides. While some are motivated to do so purely to demonstrate their skill on a bike, others seek to solidify their claim to public space.

via @bikelifefamily_ on Instagram:

The alluring pull to be included in this wheelie elite is felt acutely by youth like ‘Pug,’ a 14 year old boy who dreams of one day riding with the pack.

Although many in Baltimore see the practice as wreaking havoc to public safety, The Twelve O’Clock Boys have been canonized as an important part of the fabric of the city.

Via @shawnsean on Instagram:

Side note.

The Twelve O’Clock Boys was originally published in Vantage on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The Long Island Auto Garage That’s Home To Man Ray’s Archive was originally published in Vantage on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I Call This Look [PARTY] was originally published in ⓐⓛⓐⓝⓐ ⓩⓘⓝⓔ on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.