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Richard Eagan, Charles Denson, and Coney Island as Poetry
My understanding is now that Charles Denson is a photographer-who-writes. His "Coney Island: Lost and Found" is so well written, I honestly thought he was a writer-who-photographs. Whichever or both, it is a superb, powerful book.
Two of the characters I met in Denson's book were Richard Eagan and Philomena Marano, both a large part of the upswing in Coney's image and fortunes, beginning in the 1980s. I admired what they had done. Connected with it. Ms. Marano's Papier Collé impressed me more than just about any art I had ever seen, and Mr. Eagan's facility as a visual artist as well as a performer-performing-what-he-lives thrilled me. Again, a connection. That's what art should do, I think.
I tend to be very impressed by idealists who practice their ideals, who walk-the-walk. Ms. Marano's website explains a bit more about the Coney Island Artists' Renaissance.
This afternoon, I felt like a kid in Philip's Candy Store, as Charles Denson talked us through a show of historic photos. Then, "the main attraction" as Denson announced, was Mr. Eagan reading his ninety-minute Coney-in-the-80s play, "Alive on the Inside," all sponsored by the Coney Island History Project as part of their Oral History Project. Suffice it to say, if you ever hear that Mr. Eagan is performing the piece again ... run, don't walk.
And ditto for any event sponsored by the Coney Island History Project. Be sure to visit their excellent and well-run exhibit area, right smack underneath the Cyclone.
Two of the characters I met in Denson's book were Richard Eagan and Philomena Marano, both a large part of the upswing in Coney's image and fortunes, beginning in the 1980s. I admired what they had done. Connected with it. Ms. Marano's Papier Collé impressed me more than just about any art I had ever seen, and Mr. Eagan's facility as a visual artist as well as a performer-performing-what-he-lives thrilled me. Again, a connection. That's what art should do, I think.
I tend to be very impressed by idealists who practice their ideals, who walk-the-walk. Ms. Marano's website explains a bit more about the Coney Island Artists' Renaissance.
This afternoon, I felt like a kid in Philip's Candy Store, as Charles Denson talked us through a show of historic photos. Then, "the main attraction" as Denson announced, was Mr. Eagan reading his ninety-minute Coney-in-the-80s play, "Alive on the Inside," all sponsored by the Coney Island History Project as part of their Oral History Project. Suffice it to say, if you ever hear that Mr. Eagan is performing the piece again ... run, don't walk.
And ditto for any event sponsored by the Coney Island History Project. Be sure to visit their excellent and well-run exhibit area, right smack underneath the Cyclone.
