Photographer Shares Images of the Twin Towers

Mel DiGiacomo of Harrington Park used to take photographs in Jersey City facing the New York City skyline, which at the time included the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center site. A collection of his work taken in 1980 is currently on display at in an exhibit titled "The Dream of America."

DiGiacomo said the towers were very unique and distinct because they were right on the Hudson River's edge and made for great photographs. Many of his pieces on display include people swimming in the river with the towers in the background.

Because the buildings no longer exist, DiGiacomo said his photographs are important historically as well as artistically, sociologically and anthropologically. He captured people living their everyday lives in a world that has changed dramatically in the past 30 years.

Westwood Gallery owner Michael Fitzsimmons said he has showcased photographers' work that represents American history since 9/11. Ten years ago, right after the terrorist attacks, Fitzsimmons said he held an exhibit called "Capturing the American Spirit," which surveyed 100 years of photography.

As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approached, Fitzsimmons said he wanted to showcase DiGiacomo's iconic shots of the Twin Towers.

"It struck me even more so how the country and the world has changed in a relatively short time," Fitzsimmons said. "Everything is still recognizable, but they now kind of go into documenting an era of America that is passed."

Fitzsimmons said photographers' work can serve as a history lesson for many, pointing out anyone 10 or younger has no memory of the Twin Towers.

"That's really the photographer's service, to document things, to leave a record. Not only the objects and the things, but the way we lived our life," he said. "I think that's what we tried to accomplish with this show."

DiGiacomo's photographs highlight people swimming in the Hudson River and jumping off the pier. He said he got very close to his subjects, but without disturbing them. He said it was the summer of 1980 during a heat wave when he took the photographs in the current exhibit.

When asked about his inspiration, DiGiacomo said, "I really don't take pictures, pictures take me."

He said he used to play basketball in Jersey City and one day noticed kids playing in the streets with a fire hydrant open. He decided to follow them around and take photos.

"There was a whole sense of community down there," he said.

All that has since changed. DiGiacomo said there is now a Hyatt Hotel in the spot where he once photographed kids on the pier. The Twin Towers are also now gone.

"It was the end of a really glorious era," he said.

DiGiacomo said he misses the way it used to be, but he returns to the area, where there is now a large piece of steel that serves as a 9/11 memorial, every three to four months. He said the monument is "organic" and ever changing because people add photographs, comments and items.

Although the scenes in DiGiacomo's work cannot be recreated, the photographs serve as a reminder of what was.

exhibit will be on display at Westwood Gallery, 10 Westwood Ave., through Saturday. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. DiGiacomo will be at the gallery Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. to greet the public and talk about his work.

DiGiacomo has worked as a photographer at numerous publications, including Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, New York Times, People, Paris Match and Tennis Week.