Faces of Downtown Scene

is an ongoing portrait project dedicated to New York’s experimental performance community.

NYC Downtown community became famous in the '70s for experimental theater and dance happenings that broke the boundaries of classical theater and came to the streets of New York. After being wiped out during the 80's AIDS epidemic, the Downtown scene of New York is having its second peak, with artists creating multidisciplinary works around the city again. While performances are largely photographed, people behind them are not, until now.


Since November 2016, while working as a photographer for off-off-Broadway theater and dance, Maria Baranova invited dancers, choreographers, actors, producers, playwrights, designers, and directors for a portrait session and conversation. Using a medium format film camera, and in front of a signature black backdrop with only the natural light, Maria has captured over 300 subjects, including Ivy Baldwin, Yanira Castro, Meg Harper, Bobbi Jene Smith, and more, shedding light on the creators of this distinctive artistic community in New York City.


This project has been exhibited at The Invisible Dog Art Center in January 2019.


For portrait commissions please email: info@mariabaranova.com


200+ portraits at www.facesofdowntownscene.com


Press

BOMB Magazine, 2019

The Dance Enthusiast, 2018