See 1960s Coney at the Museum of the City of New York

Today, the Museum of the City of New York (1220 Fifth Avenue) will debut never-before-seen photos in their new exhibition, In a World of Their Own: Coney Island Photographs by Aaron Rose, 1961-1963.

In a mix of true artistry/creepiness, Rose snapped shots of sunbathers by stealthily wielding his camera, unbeknownst to the beachgoers. The right to privacy aside, the exhibition displays beautifully unguarded moments of people from all walks of life enjoying intimate moments in a public space.

Coney Island has captured the hearts of New Yorkers for generations. Whether it’s to ride the Cyclone, grab a hot dog at Nathan’s or march in the Mermaid Parade, there’s always an excuse to check it out.  In his 70-photo collection, Rose captures some of the subtler elements of the historical landmark that make it so great: diversity and uninhibited relaxation.

Native New Yorker and esteemed photographer, Aaron Rose has taken over 25,000 photos in his career, each one printed only once. His work combines a unique blend of photography, light, and chemistry to capture distinctively colored images. Pre-Valencia Instragram filter, Rose capitalized on chromogenic color film, the new technology of his time, to generate the rosy tans and cool whites in a time when black-and-white was the standard.

So head over to the Museum of the City of New York to remind yourself why you have continued to dwell in this perpetually cold and rainy city, because one day, the sun will come out! You can see the exhibit every day from 10am to 6pm, through August 3, for the price of museum admission ($10).

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