UNDERGROUND
About the book:
UNDERGROUND takes an intimate look into the lives of those who have chosen to carve their own unique paths in life. These are the people who live on the fringe of society, go against the grain of mainstream thought or create their own rules to live by. It is a walk through the streets of New York, past graffiti walls and hidden alleys into the homes of some of New York's more eccentric personalities. Accompanying the images are personal statements made by some of those featured in the book, in addition to some candid stories by the photographer revealing a private behind-the-scenes look into the photographs.
Native New Yorker Käla Mandrake began photographing the people in her life and those of the underground scene at fifteen years old. Even at a young age, she was interested in the psychology of an individual and found that photography became her medium to understanding people on a deeper level. To this effect, she has always tried to find and capture something that reveals the "underground" to her.
"The people depicted here are at once vulnerable and brave because they are always exposed in their communities as outsiders, and yet have the courage to push forward in their beliefs despite societal, cultural, political, religious or familial pressures. They are what is beautiful and unique about New York. They are rich, soulful and often misunderstood people that stretch the perimeters of acceptance and pave the way for future generations to potentially create a new norm." - Excerpt from UNDERGROUND
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Some of the people featured in the book:
Keith, grew up in Astoria Queens and at the age of twelve, was mesmerized by the graffiti of the streets and subways cars of the city and within a few years began a very secretive career "tagging" the city, which included many graveyard shifts and hiding from the authorities in order to make his work visible.
EAK, who ran away from his strict conservative family to join the circus and get tattooed from head to toe. Then went back to school to become a lawyer.
Rav Shmuel, a native Brooklynite, who grew up in a very strict Orthodox family, and decided as an adult that he could explore the artist within him by starting a band, writing original songs and performing in East Village venues, while holding on to the look and tradition of his ancestors complete with side locks. Everyday, breaking the prejudice of supposedly open-minded people, and risking ridicule from those within his religion.