• Log in
    PoliticsBusinessA&ETransgenderBisexualityReligionFamiliesVoicesVideo
    OUTPrideOut TravelerPLUSADVOCATE CHANNEL
    SubscribeSubscriber ServicesEmail Newsletter Signup
    CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
    © 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
    All Rights reserved
    Advocate.comAdvocate.com
    Scroll To Top

    By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.

    Accept

    Meryl Meisler's 'New York Paradise Lost' Depicts a Sexy, Lost Gotham

    Meryl Meisler
    | 05/25/21

    Meryl Meisler's 'New York Paradise Lost' Depicts a Sexy, Lost Gotham

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    "The mind is its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven." --John Milton, Paradise Lost.

    Meryl Meisler's scintillating new book, New York PARADISE LOST Bushwick Era Disco, is an intimate journey to the pandemonium and paradise of New York City in the 1970s to early 1990s. Meryl documented a tumultuous time in NYC's history - epidemics of arson, crime, crack, and AIDS, intensified by a paralyzing blackout, political and fiscal crisis. Frequenting Manhattan's legendary discos that arose amongst disorder, she captured hedonistic havens, celebrities, and revelers of the night. In contrast, daylight revealed the beauty of those who loved and thrived in burnt-out Bushwick, where she was a public school art teacher who photographed what she saw. Her effervescent images are personal memoir - love letters filled with compassion and humor mixed with angst, kept secret for decades until she retired from teaching.

    Image: New York PARADISE LOST Bushwick Era Disco Book Cover
    "PUSSY and Dick", Bushwick, Brooklyn NY 1982

    Information about Exhibits:
    ClampArt, 247 West 29th St., NY, NY
    June 3 - July 9, 2021
    Opening Reception & Book Signing, Sat. June 5, 2 - 7 p.m.

    Center for Photography at Woodstock, 59 Tinker St., Woodstock, NY
    July 03 - August 15, 2021
    Book Signing, Sat. July 3 & Sun. July 4, 12 - 2 p.m.

    Book available at Strand Books.

    Bushwick Snowstorm, 1982

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Grace Jones in Hallway with JudiJupiter and Others on Opening Night

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Farfalle, NY, NY 1978

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Silver Boots Stretched on Floor

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Studio 54, NY, NY 1977

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Family Picnic

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY 1982

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Cafeteria Finger Gesture

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    IS 291, Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY 1990

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Magnolia Tree

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY 1983

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Four on Deck at Star Wars Party

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Fire Island Pines, NY 1977

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Women Embrace on Floor Near JudiJupiter’s Legs

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Les Mouches, NY, NY 1978

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Nose Ring, Earring, Mustache and Hickey

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    IS 291, Bushwick, Brooklyn NY 1991

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Andy Warhol Smiling with Eyes Closed (Between his friend and JudiJupiter)

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Studio 54, NY, NY 1977

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Three Menudo Fans

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    IS 291, Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY 1983

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Five Fashionable Rejects (With JudiJupiter)

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Studio 54, NY, NY 1978

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Guardian Angel

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    IS 291, Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY 1983

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Two Queens at the COYOTE Hookers Masquerade Ball

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Copacabana, NY, NY 1977

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Patou and The Man in The Moon With a Cocaine Spoon

    Meryl Meisler New York Paradise Lost

    Studio 54, NY, NY 1978

    Photo: (c)Meryl Meisler courtesy of ClampArt

    Latest Stories

    Photo Gallery Folsom Street Fair 2022 Images by Chantis
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    15 Hunky Black and White Folsom Street Fair Photos by Chantis

    September 21 2023 10:00 PM
    Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey from Fellow Travelers
    television
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey Get Steamy in 'Fellow Travelers' Clip

    September 19 2023 8:03 PM
    Leah Shafer and Sandy Yawn
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Captain Sandy Yawn of ‘Below Deck Med’ Proposes to Girlfriend

    September 19 2023 4:00 PM
    Sigmund Freud and letter
    History
    Badge
    gallery

    Sigmund Freud Said Homosexuality Wasn’t ‘A Vice or a Crime’ in 1938 Letter

    September 15 2023 12:18 PM
    Anderson Cooper with his sons
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Anderson Cooper: Fatherhood Provides 'Best Time of My Life'

    September 14 2023 3:51 PM
    VMA Nominees
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    15 LGBTQ+ Nominees Vying for MTV Video Music Awards

    September 12 2023 5:06 PM
    Robin Roberts Marries Girlfriend Amber Laign
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Robin Roberts Marries Girlfriend Amber Laign

    September 10 2023 3:06 PM
    Stefan Peters
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch This Lip-Syncing Flight Attendant Go Viral for All the Right Reasons

    September 09 2023 2:00 PM
    Queer TV and Movies coming in September
    Arts & Entertainment
    Badge
    gallery

    13 LGBTQ+ TV Shows and Movies to Watch in September

    September 08 2023 5:00 PM
    RuPublicans billboard that reads “Mind your wigs not our gigs, Greg!”
    News
    Badge
    gallery

    ‘RuPublicans’ Parody Account Targets Greg Abbott in Texas Billboard Ad Campaign

    September 08 2023 4:30 PM
    Watch Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Impress in 'Nyad' Trailer
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Impress in 'Nyad' Trailer

    September 08 2023 2:35 PM
    Carl Nassib
    Sports
    Badge
    gallery

    Who Is Retiring NFL Player Carl Nassib?

    September 06 2023 12:40 PM
    Bad Bunny and Gael García Bernal
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Gael García Bernal Get Intimate in ‘Cassandro’ Exclusive

    September 06 2023 11:00 AM
    Southern Decadence in New Orleans
    Travel
    Badge
    gallery

    Going to Southern Decadence? 5 Things to Know About New Orleans's Massive Queer Party

    August 31 2023 4:07 PM
    Why This Old Movie Weirdo Loves the TCM Classic Film Festival
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Why This Old Movie Weirdo Loves the TCM Classic Film Festival

    August 30 2023 10:30 AM
    model in harness
    Photography
    Badge
    gallery

    11 Sultry Photos from Kuros's 'Spotlight Your Darkness' Series

    August 29 2023 10:19 PM
    Colman Domingo in Rustin
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Watch Colman Domingo Shine in Timely ‘Rustin’ Trailer

    August 29 2023 11:33 AM
    Ty Herndon and Alex Schwartz
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Country Star Ty Herndon Marries Boyfriend in Tennessee Wedding

    August 28 2023 6:09 PM
    Matteo Lane and Rodrigo Aburto
    People
    Badge
    gallery

    Comedian Matteo Lane Gets Married to Boyfriend Rodrigo Aburto

    August 22 2023 12:37 PM
    Annette Bening and Jodie Foster in NYAD
    film
    Badge
    gallery

    Annette Bening and Jodie Foster Shine in Biopic 'Nyad' First-Look Pics

    August 21 2023 6:00 PM

    Trending stories

    Sophie Turner Sues Joe Jonas, Demands Her Kids Come Home To England

    30th Annual Long Beach Qfilms Festival Features ‘Big Boys’ This Weekend

    Emotional 'All of Us Strangers' Trailer Promises Ghosts & Tears

    Matt Bomer Orders Jonathan Bailey Around in Steamy 'Fellow Travelers' Clip

    6 Great American Road Trips Perfect for Fall Colors

    Thai Actors Both & Newyear to Tie the Knot After 11 Years Together

    'American Idol' Season 1 OG Jim Verraros Is Ready to Take His Bow

    Taylor Swift Sparks 35K New Voter Registrations With Message to Fans

    Alexander Skarsgård Seen Partying And Kissing Guys At Swedish Gay Club

    Las Vegas Brings The Fright With Provocative New Show 'Abandon'

    This HIV Ally Is Spicing Up Sexual Health

    Meet the Reality TV Legends Competing on 'The Traitors' Season 2

    Poor Government Oversight Led to Migrant Kids Working Unsafe and Illegal Jobs, Whistleblower Says

    Meet Two Amazing Activists Speaking Up About Black Women and HIV

    John Fetterman Says He'll Put on a Suit If Republicans Avoid Government Shutdown

    27 TV Shows With Bisexual Guy Characters

    UPDATED: 92 LGBTQ+ Movies We Can’t Wait To See In 2023

    Merrick Garland Had Some Stern Words For House Republicans

    Check Out These Delicious Dishes At Galpão Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse

    Arrests Follow HIV Funding Protest at Speaker McCarthy's Office

    Este Aliado del VIH Está Condimentando la Salud Sexual

    Life is Beautiful Celebrates 10 Years By Announcing LGBTQ+ Parties

    Plus156 Sept/Oct: Our Annual Latinx Issue

    NFTs Are Now Totally Worthless, Report Finds

    Charli & Dixie Tease All The Drama In 'The D'Amelio Show' Season 3

    Most Recent

    George W. Bush Calls Out Republicans Trying to End HIV Program PEPFAR

    How to Honor Senior Survivors of HIV

    Dr. Randa Jaafar on Her New Practice & Helping Women Feel Their Best

    Beyoncé Rights Airline's Wrong, Helps Disabled Fan Attend the Renaissance World Tour

    John Fetterman Says He'll Put on a Suit If Republicans Avoid Government Shutdown

    HIV Warrior Ronnie Grace Battling Stage 4 Cancer

    Canada Has Some of the Highest Mpox Rates in the World

    10 Bisexual Celebrities You Have To Follow On Instagram & TikTok

    10 Sizzling Hot Photos Of Out Olympic Ice Dancer Lewis Gibson

    Grace Van Dien, Stranger Things Actor, Says She's Turning Down Roles Over Sexual Harassment

    Jonathan Bailey & Matt Bomer's Spicy 'Fellow Travelers' Scenes Followed These 2 Rules

    NFTs Are Now Totally Worthless, Report Finds

    Lisa Rinna Does PTown

    Stewart Taylor Releases New Breakup Anthem "Favorite Ex"

    Taylor Swift Sparks 35K New Voter Registrations With Message to Fans

    Travis Scott Investigated For Assault and $12,000 in Property Damage

    New 'Drag Race' Host Is a Legendary Activist Living With HIV

    Get Ready for Provincetown’s Third-Annual Washashore Festival Featuring a Rising Tide of Queer Musical Talent

    SF Leather Week Opens with Inauguration of World’s First Leather and Queer History Public Space

    Provincetown Brewing Co. Presents Annual Jockstrap Bike Ride: 'Letting Loose for Townie Summer Kickoff!'

    10 Albums & EPs Released By Drag Queens In 2023 (So Far)

    DACA Immigration Policy Ruled Unlawful, But Allowed to Continue

    Kylie, Doja, Slayyyter & More Bless The Gays On New Music Friday

    'Fellow Travelers' Creator Had 'Rules' For Spicy Scenes On Set

    Recommended Stories for You

    George W. Bush Calls Out Republicans Trying to End HIV Program PEPFAR

    How to Honor Senior Survivors of HIV

    Dr. Randa Jaafar on Her New Practice & Helping Women Feel Their Best

    Beyoncé Rights Airline's Wrong, Helps Disabled Fan Attend the Renaissance World Tour

    John Fetterman Says He'll Put on a Suit If Republicans Avoid Government Shutdown

    HIV Warrior Ronnie Grace Battling Stage 4 Cancer

    Canada Has Some of the Highest Mpox Rates in the World

    10 Bisexual Celebrities You Have To Follow On Instagram & TikTok

    10 Sizzling Hot Photos Of Out Olympic Ice Dancer Lewis Gibson

    Grace Van Dien, Stranger Things Actor, Says She's Turning Down Roles Over Sexual Harassment

    Jonathan Bailey & Matt Bomer's Spicy 'Fellow Travelers' Scenes Followed These 2 Rules

    NFTs Are Now Totally Worthless, Report Finds

    Lisa Rinna Does PTown

    Stewart Taylor Releases New Breakup Anthem "Favorite Ex"

    Taylor Swift Sparks 35K New Voter Registrations With Message to Fans

    Travis Scott Investigated For Assault and $12,000 in Property Damage

    New 'Drag Race' Host Is a Legendary Activist Living With HIV

    Get Ready for Provincetown’s Third-Annual Washashore Festival Featuring a Rising Tide of Queer Musical Talent

    SF Leather Week Opens with Inauguration of World’s First Leather and Queer History Public Space

    Provincetown Brewing Co. Presents Annual Jockstrap Bike Ride: 'Letting Loose for Townie Summer Kickoff!'

    10 Albums & EPs Released By Drag Queens In 2023 (So Far)

    DACA Immigration Policy Ruled Unlawful, But Allowed to Continue

    Kylie, Doja, Slayyyter & More Bless The Gays On New Music Friday

    'Fellow Travelers' Creator Had 'Rules' For Spicy Scenes On Set