Touring is not unusual for Paul McCartney, who has traversed the globe nearly non-stop for six decades. Yet, this time, his photographer’s eye is center stage, with the imagined tour t-shirt swapping one-night stands for months-long engagements. Launched last year at the National Portrait Gallery in London and having traveled to the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia, ‘Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64, Eyes of the Storm’ now graces the Brooklyn Museum before heading to Portland in the autumn. Happily, McCartney attended this week’s opening, where the program of over 250 photographs impressed with its quality craftsmanship and unpretentious candidness—hallmarks of the artist’s approach.
The multi-gallery exhibition on the 5th floor provides a chaptered overview of more than 250 photographs, many unseen by the public, taken between November 1963 and February 1964. These images offer a unique insider’s view of Beatlemania, capturing intimate and candid moments as The Beatles rose from UK sensations to global superstars. McCartney’s collection confidently showcases his talents with peerless high-quality prints that capture the essence and communicate the dynamics during those frenetic months. Rather than hurried or slapdash shots, the works reveal the sensitivity of the shooter, his respectful empathy for the subjects, and what can be described as the innocence of the time.
It’s easy to forget that these photographs document a significant period in 20th-century music and culture, a time so transformative that it seems improbable any band could again evoke the excitement and intensity of The Beatles’ early fame. Now viewed as a foundational moment for future popular culture and musical entertainment developments, these frank and sometimes humorous shots provide a crucial historical record.
McCartney’s detailed curation and collaboration with galleries worldwide emphasize his singular vision and appreciation for the rich culture fostered by collaboration. For Beatles fans and photography enthusiasts alike, this exhibition offers a delightful glimpse into history through the lens of one of its most iconic figures.
Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–64: Eyes of the Storm
May 3–August 18, 2024
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Gallery, 5th Floor
Click HERE for more information about the exhibit.
Other Articles You May Like from BSA:
Welcome to BSA Images of the Week! New Yorkers are a fearless, foolish, and Faustian lot, this much was in evidence during opening nights at the art fairs this first week of March, a month of ...
A ROA update today – with many exclusive photos here for BSA readers with personal pictures taken and selected by the artist himself. The Belgian Street Artist, whom we long ago christened as an “Urb...
The intervention “Life in Time of Corona” is Lapiz’s attempt to fight the feeling of isolation and loneliness. “I created and glued it up a day before the first phase of lockdown happened here in ...
Superhero or superfan, there is something here for everyone, and usually high quality. Street Art festivals worldwide have become dull and safe, perhaps because some are funded by tax dollars or thei...
When it comes to street art, both legal and illegal placement is key – as is utilizing the stage to maximize impact. Decommissioned fire box alarms are historic reminders of an earlier New York, oddly...