Ellis Island 1974 and now

June 2, 2024 7:21 AM

As teenagers in 1974 Phil Buehler and Steve Siegel rowed out to explore the ruins of Ellis Island. They made a film (NY Times gift link), one of the first picks for the NY Times OpDocs “Encore” series. The filmmaker-photographers reflect on the symbolic power of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, as they revisit the ruins that remain and the restored main Registry hall that now draws millions of tourists a year.

Phil Buehler:
Capturing a Time and Place with Alumnus Phil Buehler
‘Philip Buehler: Please Don’t Forget Us’ ~ Brings the War on Ukraine to the East Village in Stunning Mural Installation
The Forgotten Islands Surrounding New York City

Steve Seigal:
https://www.stevensiegel.net/
NEW YORK PHOTOGRAPHS 1980 - 2024
Inside the Mind of Environmental Artist Steven Siegel

NY Public Library catalog entry for film

posted by ShooBoo (1 comment total)

The original film is haunting and it’s wonderful that high school students were able to do it. The young filmmaker’s organization makes me think of Minnesota’s Film in the Cities (hour long documentary - here’s an excerpt - Tim Leonard at the Roller Garden.)

It’s also interesting to see what the filmmakers have been up to since (including their revisiting Ellis Island.) The scale of Steve Seigal’s artworks makes me think of the recent Wim Wenders documentary on Anselm Kiefer (Fanfare Previously)
posted by larrybob at 8:25 AM on June 2