Impossible Project Space NYC

While Googling around I found a really unusual store/photo gallery devoted to the Polaroid camera and instant and analog photography. I didn’t think you could buy Polaroid cameras or film anymore, but this place called, The Impossible Project Space NYC not only sells Polaroid cameras and film, they have photo exhibitions as well. You can read the timeline of how The Impossible Project came to be right here. The current exhibition at the space is called, “Work In Progress” and features the work of 13 photographers. I thought we’d check out both the exhibit and The Impossible Project Space NYC today. Lights, camera...cameras!

Here we are at 425 Broadway home of...

Impossible Project Space NYC. It's up on the fifth floor, let's buzz the buzzer and go on up.

It's a tiny elevator that takes you up and is the slowest moving elevator I've ever been on. It actually stopped for about 39 seconds on the third floor and I had a mini anxiety attack thinking it was stuck, luckily it started chugging it's way up to the fifth floor and the doors opened up.

And here we are! It's a really nice open, arty space in here.

This is the exhibit that's being shown till May 8th. It's called "Work in Progress" and features these photographers. Let's go have a look.

Here's the exhibit that covers the majority of this wall.

Without even trying, this turned out to be a somewhat obligatory mirror shot along with these two very cool photos.

A shot of a taxi and the other three remind me of a classic shot of light coming in to Grand Central Station, but it appears to be a different location.

This is a great photo exhibition of instant photography, if you're in the area you should stop by and check it out.

Turntables are set up in the back playing music softly. It only makes sense that turntables and vinyl records are part of the ambiance of this space.

I love this wall of cameras!

If they could talk, they'd be cursing out the digital camera I'm taking this photo with.

Let's take a look in the glass counters lining the other side of the space.

Check out the flashcubes in the middle, I haven't seen them in decades!

The film for the cameras they sell is still made in the Netherlands, where the old Polaroid film was made. You can read about this new generation of film here.

Check out these blasts from the past: McDonald's and Barbie Polaroid cameras!

A coffee table book about Polaroid and instant photography called, "From Polaroid To Impossible," by Hatje Cantz.

Impossible t-shirts, buttons and prints are for sale in this case.

Here's a Polaroid One Step 600 camera. I had one of those years ago.

Kyle showed me the camera and was helpful in showing me how it worked. It had been so long I had forgotten. The price was right, so I was sold. Back to the past for me!

I thought it only fitting that the first shot I took was of the Impossible Space. In the old days you would shake the photo til it would dry and the image would start to appear. I started to do this and then Kyle informed me that with the new film you need to shield it from the light and try not to move it at all for a few minutes. So this one is a little fuzzy. One feature I've always loved is that you can write at the bottom of them!

I took this on my way home at the Farmer's Market in Union Square. I love how it looks like it's 1977 in the photo!

This was a lit-up sign on 16th street, another shot on my way home.

And I used a flash on this Polaroid portrait of Gumby. This film is expensive,  so don't expect a ton of Polaroids here, but it will be fun to incorporate some Polaroid instant photography now and again on TWM. Thanks to Kyle and everyone at Impossible Project Space for their help and hospitality!

Impossible Project Space NYC
425 Broadway—5th floor
212-219-3254

Further Reading: npr, Monocle and Mother Board.

If only I'd thought of the right words,
I wouldn't be breaking apart,
All my pictures of you.

Surprise link, click on it...I dare you!

-----------------------------------------------

Bonus Please Kill Me Linkage!

One of my favorite books of all time is the definitive oral history of punk rock, Please Kill Me, written by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain. For years I've wondered why there isn't a website devoted to the book and the authors and now there is one! Check it out here: Please Kill Me. There's an interview with Danny Fields, photos of a Ramones museum, Legs remembers Malcolm McLaren and tons of other cool stuff. Go check it out!