William Meyers spent 25 years photographing New York – and noticed how small, everyday acts of civic engagement helped sustain the nation. He talks us through his favourite images Hands up if you look like the Statue of Liberty! Tourist shop souvenirs, Times Square, 15 September 2010 Civics offers a sweeping 25-year visual record of New York City as a microcosm of the US, capturing the everyday acts of civic engagement, public service and neighbourly support that sustain the democratic fabric of the nation.
With the country’s 250th anniversary this year, the work offers a timely reflection of shared civic life in the context of heightened political and social tensions. _Civics by William Meyers is published by Apollo Books_. _All photographs and quotes by William Meyers except where indicated_ Throughout this collection, Meyers turns his lens on the streets, neighbourhoods, offices and public spaces of New York. His photographs honour the energy, diversity and variety of perspectives that define the city and offer a broad, empathic view of how citizens engage with one another and their communities. And here, the happenstance of a reflection doubles the delight’ In an essay from the book, Nicole Gelinas writes: ‘William Meyers’s Civics quietly demolishes any notion that the concept of civics belongs to another era.
The photos, which were taken in New York City between 1991 and 2026, reveal to us that a functional society depends on people showing up – not just once, but over and over – to figure out, and continue refiguring out, what we think is important, and how we will work together to achieve and maintain a desired result’ Aiding an epileptic, Church Avenue subway station, Kensington, Brooklyn, 16 December 2015 William Meyers: ‘When I finished photographing the subject I had come to Kensington for, I still had four unexposed frames on my roll of film. At Church Avenue subway station on my way back to Manhattan, a dramatic scene was unfolding. This woman put her own coat under the man’s head to protect him from getting a concussion as his body convulsed.
Other people called for emergency medical aid. It was a great example of strangers helping someone in distress and I used my four frames to record it’ ‘I was on my way somewhere when I saw this scene unfolding on the other side of the street. I do not know what they were questioning the suspect about or if they arrested him.
It is part of the perpetual New York City street theatre; passersby hardly pay attention’ Listening to the candidate, Rego Park, Queens, 25 August 2011 ‘This campaign was for a special election to replace a congressman who had resigned because of a sex scandal. His constituents felt betrayed. This voter seems to be listening to the candidate’s political programme, but also examining his face to determine his character, a more difficult task’ Statue of Liberty souvenirs, tourist shop, Times Square, 15 September 2010 ‘The cheap Statues of Liberty in a Times Square souvenir shop show how important the real statue is; visitors to the city buy them to remember their time here.
People across the political spectrum claim the Statue of Liberty as emblematic of their ideals. The fact that the statues were probably made in China, and the role a Statue of Liberty replica played in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, adds piquancy’ ‘The candidate here had a prior career as a professional football player and was now a minister. The voters are happy to have an opportunity to vent.
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