Originally published in 1971, Tulsa It is a fundamental work of documentary photography and American counterculture. Through 64 black-and-white images, Larry Clark portrays the life of Midwestern youth in the 1960s, depicting scenes of violence, drug use, and relationships marked by marginalization. Considered a direct and unfiltered account, the book generated controversy for its rawness and honesty, and has become a reference for understanding the social and cultural changes of the era.
Far from the ideal of American suburbia, Clark reveals the hidden life behind the facades: guns, drugs, and sex are part of the daily life of a group of young people who, at first glance, seem ordinary. The work, markedly autobiographical in nature, documents the experiences of their circle of friends over three years, offering a previously unseen "insider's" perspective. While photographers like Robert Frank explored the United States as outside observers, Clark provides an insider's view, combining documentary style with the visual narrative of classic photo essays, but with an intimacy and rawness that would mark later generations.
The influence of Tulsa It has been decisive in contemporary photography, along with the work of authors such as Nan Goldin, and is considered a milestone within so-called intimate photography.
Author's biography:
Larry Clark (Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1943) is a photographer and filmmaker. Recognized for his provocative and realistic work, he has explored themes such as adolescence, violence, and drug addiction in American society. Tulsa It is his first published work and one of the most influential within the genre.
Book details:
- Photography: Larry Clark
- Editorial: Grove Atlantic
- Paperback: 64 pages
- Dimensions: 22.35 x 0.51 x 29.72 cm
- Weight: 408 g
- Year of publication: 2000
- ISBN: 978-0802137487
- English language
