Dirty Windows Merry Alpern
Dirty Windows is a controversial photo series by Merry Alpern capturing candid moments of people engaging in intimate activities in New York City’s meatpacking district during the 1990s. She realized that from the window of her tiny apartment bathroom, she could see into a single angle of a bar bathroom. What she noticed at this angle was that many leud activities were on display for her.
People doing Cocaine, men soliciting prostitutes, sexual activity etc. From what thsee people thought of as a private space to participate in such activities, Merry had a front row seat to. All the photos are taken in wlack and white, with a telephoto lens on a tripod, all taken from the exact same angle.
The series gained attention for its voyeuristic nature and the ethical questions it raised about privacy and consent. Alpern’s work explores themes of urban life, sexuality, and social dynamics, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about voyeurism and the blurred lines between public and private spaces.
