Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
Fifty years after a photocopied zine from downtown New York helped light the fuse for punk, the spirit of that era is crackling again on the Lower East Side — this time inside the Ki Smith Gallery, where “50 Years of PUNK” opens tonight. Earlier this week, I stopped by the gallery, 170 Forsyth St., between Stanton and Rivington, as East Village resident John Holmstrom, the co-founder, editor, and illustrator of PUNK Magazine, and gallery owner Ki Smith, were putting the exhibit together…
The show brings together original work from artists, photographers and contributors who shaped — and were shaped by — PUNK Magazine, which championed the Ramones before their first record, put Blondie in print, and turned fanzine culture into something louder and more visual.
• Dec. 13, 2-6 p.m. — Clothing Sale/Fashion Show. A Christmas sale featuring PUNK Magazine clothing, swag and memorabilia, including some rarely seen items.
• Jan. 7, 7-10 p.m. — Sex Pistols Tour Film Script: The Live Show. A reading of Holmstrom’s account of the 1978 Sex Pistols U.S. tour, accompanied by images, on the tour’s 48th anniversary.
• Early January — The Making of PUNK #1
Date TBD. Filmmaker Mary Harron, Holmstrom and others involved with the first issue will discuss how it came together.
• Jan. 11, 7 p.m. — Closing Party. Details to come.
Visit the gallery site for updates on programming as well as the list of the many notable contributors and photographers who made the publication a success.
“50 Years of PUNK” runs through Jan. 11. Gallery hours: Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
The opening reception is from 6-9 tonight.