Over the decades, the New York City subway has served as a captivating backdrop for Halloween celebrations, with a local photographer named Seymour Licht documenting the ghostly, peculiar, and eccentric parades and revelers weaving their way through the city. Sitting in a subway car, an impersonator of the surrealist artist Rene Magritte poses with a framed self-portrait and an apple to his face; beneath Union Square, Samara, the dark-haired Ghul from "The Lord of the Rings," waits for the arrival of the next train.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Village Halloween Parade, Licht compiled his work into a book titled "Halloween Underground." Delving into his career as a documentary photographer, Licht explained his approach, stating, "I started with the documentary format and simply documented what I saw. Then, I became overwhelmed and wanted to elevate and add a magical and surreal touch."
From the eerie images of Pennywise and Michael Myers to shimmering angels, a giant toad king, and a married fox from Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox" adaptation, the book is a visual spectacle of Halloween's enduring charm and the ever-evolving pop culture landscape.
In recent years, however, Licht notes a concerning trend – diminished complexity and originality in costumes. "I think elaborate costumes, where you can see that people have invested time and thought, are becoming less common," he lamented.
Looking back on his work after two decades, Licht acknowledged its transformative nature, viewing it as a "wonderful journey" through the shadows of New York City. He embraced the blissful escapism of Halloween, commenting, "People usually turn everything into a game. They're out there to have fun. It has a slightly naughty, carefree feel."
The book, "Halloween Underground," showcases the creativity and originality in New York City's Halloween festivities, as captured by Seymour Licht.
