Ladislav Postupa

Train Abstraction

c.1950s - 2011

SoHo Fire Escapes, New York, 1984 by Fernando Natalici: The simplicity & grace of iconic New York architecture rendered timeless by the snap of the camera. A window into a street photographer's decisive moment. A window into, not only the New York of 'then', but the hidden poetry of urban architecture... Archival Inkjet Print. Approximately 12 x 18 inches (image size: approx 12 x 17in.). Hand signed from an edition of 20. Obtained directly from artist. Excellent condition. New York based photographer Fernando Natalici is best known for his iconographic documentation of the downtown Manhattan art scene of the mid/late 70's and early 80's. Natalici’s portfolio includes sought after images of a young Patti Smith, Blondie, Talking Heads, Keith Haring, The Ramones and more. As an Art Director, Fernando has played a key role in creating memorable visuals for historic NY venues such as CBGB's, The Mudd Club, Area and Danceteria. Soho Building Architecture, A Brief History The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District comprises about 500 buildings, many of which are characterized by their cast-iron facades. Development of the district began in the late 18th century. The population surged after the War of 1812, and some homes from this era still remain. The latter half of the 19th century saw the district evolve into a center of commerce and entertainment, and the majority of the cast-iron buildings the district is known for were constructed during this period. The use of cast-iron allowed for ornate facades that were a much cheaper alternative to granite and marble. However, an increase of industrial production along with rising crime and “immorality” steadily drove residents out of the area. The district began to decline in the early 20th century, leaving many spaces vacant for decades and leading some to refer to the area as Hell’s Hundred Acres. 

It was not until the late 1960s that artists became attracted to the area because the large, unoccupied loft spaces made affordable studios. Many of those who moved into the area lived in their workspaces, even though it was illegal to do so, and the area was not sufficiently equipped for residential life, lacking basic necessities. At the same time, the entire landscape of SoHo was threatened by plans to build the Lower Manhattan Expressway (LOMEX) - a proposed ten-lane elevated highway that would require the demolition of much of SoHo and Little Italy. Artists in the area collaborated with other preservation advocates in the first, unsuccessful attempt to designate SoHo as a historic district for its architectural significance. Although that failed, they also formed Artists Against the Expressway and ultimately helped defeat the plans for LOMEX, which saved the architecture in the area. The “SoHo Effect” has become a model for repurposing an industrial district for mixed use, both commercial and residential, while preserving much of the existing structural integrity. Today SoHo is known for its unique cast-iron architecture, desirable loft living...

Contemporary abstract black and white photograph In its infancy, an organism is pure and malleable. Maturation inherently means encountering outside influences: environments, shifts,...

"I went there one evening and just by chance there was a low tide. I took a batch of photos and once I developed them at home I saw a certain light and a certain type of picture that...

It's really majestic piece. It's grand in size and its got a very beautiful and impressive contrast in shades. This piece is something very special... two Luminograms in one work of...

I began making photograms with alternate light sources in 2020, due to having an unfinished darkroom at the time of the shutdown. (Fortunately, the wet side was nearly complete just prior and I had a ton of old European sized Forte in my paper safe to experiment with). "Into the Ether" was my first in-depth body of cameraless work, which was completed at the end of the year. All of my images are essentially subconscious self-portraits which reveal themselves during my printing processes (that applies to both film-based prints and unique darkroom darkroom prints made without the use of a camera). This award-winning series took shape while in the height of covid-based isolation. However, making the work led to my now current occupation, as I now specialize in experimental photograms and teach some of my processes. "Flower Implosion" was one of my first sparkler exposures involving moving water; Made with flowers and water, this triple exposed sparkler-o-gram debuted via an online exhibition...

One-of-a-kind silver gelatin print - photogram made without the use of a camera. Handmade, black and white darkroom print. Mixed process multiple exposure (done partially underwater)...