Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Contemporary Art

First Advisor

Leo Krakowsky

Second Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Abstract

This thesis examines how club photography in New York City’s nightlife of the 1980s and 1990s both shaped and reflected cultural identity, and investigates why this visual practice has largely disappeared in the age of social media. By focusing on photographer Steve Eichner and his documentation of iconic moments from one of Peter Gatien’s four mega-clubs, this thesis analyzes published photographs and articles to examine how visual representation shaped the culture it portrayed. The research demonstrates that club photography was instrumental in shaping public perception of nightlife, capturing the spontaneity, creativity, and energy of the era. It also highlights how the rise of social media has altered the production and experience of nightlife imagery, reducing the authenticity of it and reshaping how the era is remembered. Ultimately, this study explains the vital role of visual history in understanding cultural memory, media evolution, and the social dynamics of nightlife.

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