Preview: Weegee “Murder Is My Business” Opens Tomorrow At ICP

Opening tomorrow evening at the International Center of Photography, is a photo exhibition of the work of Weegee. For an intense decade between 1935 and 1946, he used police scanners to arrive to murder scenes, fires, and random crimes before the police. Weege employed innovative methods for capturing his photographs, and eventually set the standard for what has become tabloid journalism. The term hot off the press, is an understatement when applied to Weegee. He maintained a complete darkroom in the trunk of his car, and was able to quickly expedite his work directly to the newspapers. The exhibition draws upon Weegees extensive archive and also includes environmental recreations of Weegee’s apartment.

Weegee, at the time, was the only New York newspaper reporter with a permit to have a portable police-band shortwave radio. Working mostly at nightclubs, these late night hours gave Weegee access to be the first to arrive at gruesome crime scenes time and time again. His unfiltered depiction of urban life, crime, injury and death leaves viewers in awe.

Weegee: Murder Is My Business will be on display at the International Center of Photography January 20th through September 2nd.