Capturing the lives of Tribeca youth before smartphones took hold

Photographer Stephen K. Schuster chronicled the lives of a group of Tribeca teenagers between 2006 and 2010 and the images — which while not *that* old are still so evocative — are on display at a Chelsea gallery, 277 West 22nd, through the weekend. Hours are noon to 10p daily.

Titled “City Kids,” the show “fossilizes urban teen existence as an important part of society and culture,” Stephen said. “I wanted to create a way for this group of teens and any kids that grew up in NYC to feel purposeful and important.” The show also features Abeline Cohen, the daughter of Tribeca pediatrician, Michel Cohen.

This is teen life pre-smartphones, pre-Instagram, and pre- a lot of the current Tribeca built environment.

“These images give a glimpse of what growing up in Tribeca used to be like, which I know the next generation (and past generation) will enjoy viewing,” Abeline said. “We were 10 and 11 years old when 9/11 happened, and moving back and forth between PS 234 and schools uptown set the stage for what would be a chaotic, however beautiful, adolescence.”

 

 

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