Michael Grecco

The multimedia exhibition “Days of Punk” presents images that photographer Michael Grecco shot from the late 1970’s to the early 1990’s, as punk music exploded in the USA. It premiered at the international Photography fair Photo London in September 2021, featuring dozens of black & white and color photographs of artists like Johnny Rotten, The Buzzcocks, Talking Heads, Joan Jett, The Clash, the Dead Kennedys, the Ramones, Wendy O. Williams, Billy Idol, Adam Ant and many others. Images shown in “Days of Punk” are selections from his book Punk, Post Punk, New Wave: Onstage, Backstage, In Your Face, 1978–1991 (ABRAMS, 2020). They had been stored in flat files for decades when his archivist suggested they review the material. The book came about thanks to their efforts, featuring 162 previously-unseen images that are now available to collectors for the first time. Grecco’s personal anecdotes from his times hanging out with the musicians he was shooting add further depth. The exhibition was a natural spin-off, and the experience for visitors is augmented by soundscapes created in collaboration with members of the cult band, Mission of Burma. In addition, Sharp/NEC’s NP-PA653UL + NP40ZL-R projectors and the NP41ZL lenses facilitates videos and images, including archival footage shot by Grecco, to be displayed throughout the exhibit, recreating these moments as vividly as possible for viewers. “Days of Punk” is on view at La Termica museum in Malaga, Spain and Photig in Royal Leamington Spa, England. Plans are underway for future shows in the US and internationally.