The Ghosts of Times Square: A Zine Exploring Representations of Times Square through Film

Abstract

My zines are often an extension of my research—either a jumping off point or a way to create a more visual project (or both). They are in their own way a form of excess - they are often too scandalous, too smutty, too much — everything that is spilling out of the margins.

My zines and research focus on lesser known queer histories, trying to highlight them and bring them to a new audience and new generations.

Using zines as a creative form of research, I am able to reach a broader audience both inside and outside of academia. I see it as a way to connect with the greater queer community and bridge what I am doing in these different spaces: the medium of zines includes the community that comes with it. 

In this zine, I highlight films depicting Times Square from the late 1960s through early 80s including Taxi Driver, Shaft, News From Home, and then I share more in-depth research on the films Pink Narcissus and Flesh. I include a map of Times Square to think about how the films map onto the city, thinking about films as historical documents with the backdrop/sets of a Times Square that no longer exists and how queerness and desire map onto the city.

I specifically also included lots of resource lists because I felt like I could not capture everything I wanted within the zine, and I wanted those who had the curiosity to have other avenues to continue that interest.