Growing up in Westchester County, NY and taking Sunday visits to Times Square with my mother, where she would always point out to me the different street characters who were walking on Broadway. This is when, I knew that I would make New York City my hometown and where I live. My visual sense was formed as far back as I can remember to people, places and things that were different. The road less traveled became my choice to explore.
My lifetime passion and mission of photographing erotica, sexuality and gender led me to explore the compelling world of “Live Sex Shows”, “Porn Stars” and “Male Burlesk” in the Times Square area of New York City, during the decade of the ‘80’s. There was an abundance of eccentric characters in the area and was a photographer’s visual, dream come true. I became to know many of the regulars by name and they were comfortable with me, having a camera and taking photographs. At that time, I was photographing male nudes (still continue today) and was leaving a subject’s apartment and walking by the Metropole on Seventh Avenue, near 49th Street, a man handed me a flyer advertising “The Crazy Horse” and immediately walked in. Seeing the men on stage, I knew that I wanted to photograph them, but would take time to gain the permission of the owner and dancers. I did achieve entry into this club, along with many others who featured male burlesk dancers and began my “Male Burlesk” series.
Noticing other clubs and theatres with marquees advertising “Live Sex Shows” with couples was unbelievable to me. I truly thought it was a put-on, just to get people to go into those venues, so I had to see for myself. The first place that I entered was “Show World” at the corner of 42nd Street and Eighth Ave. I was enthralled; I had to photograph what I was seeing and did, including all the other places that featured these shows.
While inside these clubs, I noticed they featured a performer who was a known x-rated film star, appeared in x-rated movies and would be dancing, at various times during her week’s engagement.
Photographing “Porn Stars”, the men and women who appeared in x-rated films was an experience that added to my enlightenment of being non-judgmental and accepting of all life choices. Photographing in Times Square’s most decadent, decade of the 80’s at Show World, the Pussycat, 7-11, the Avon, Bryant Theatre, the Ramrod, Big Top Lounge, Show Palace Follies, the Unicorn, Crazy Horse, Hombre and Chez Elle will always be remembered, never forgotten and my photographs are a testament to that era. The energy, the life and the character are all gone, but Times Square will always have a special place in my heart.
Vivienne Maricevic
