July 31, 2010 · www.gothamgazette.com |
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Building The Times: Photographs by Annie Leibovitz
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December 15, 2005
Great photographers taking pictures of great buildings is a tradition in New York City; Lewis Hine created iconic images of the Empire State Building, and Margaret Bourke-White helped immortalize the construction of the Chrysler Building.
So when developer Bruce Ratner - who is building the new 52-story New York Times headquarters designed by architect Renzo Piano - wanted to draw attention to his building, he called on Annie Leibovitz.
A collection of 80 images of the construction and steel workers on site are now on display at 41st Street and 8th Avenue. The photos were taken between July and November and are printed on the construction site plywood and scaffolding surrounding the area. Leibovitz will follow the building as it progresses and update the exhibition four times a year until it is completed in early 2007.
"It's a joy not to have to direct anybody" said Leibovitz, who is best known for her portraits of well-known people like John Lennon and Demi Moore. "I'm at a crossroads in my career. And I like just watching something go up."

