Not only was Allen Ginsberg one of the most prolific post-war poets of America, he is also a bit of an enigma to myself. I've always been fascinated by his writing, the way he viewed the world, the excitement he had for everything and nothing all at once. In my opinion, he was one of the fortunate few to be born with the ability to turn his hand at anything he put his mind to, everything he touched turned to pure poetry.
Throughout the mid 40s up until his death in 1997, Allen was rarely seen without a camera in hand. I find Allen's photography as poetic as his written works, the fact he would grab whichever camera he could find and just click away makes his work even more endearing.
So for those of you who may not have seen his photography, or even for those of you that have... Here is a collection of my favourite photos by Allen Ginsberg, each of which really evoke a deep sense of nostalgia within me for a time and generation I wish I could've been part of.
 |
Allen Ginsberg, Lucien Carr & William S Burroughs
-Everything about this photo. |
 |
| Allen Ginsberg (Photo taken by radio operator) |
 |
Hal Chase, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg & William S Burroughs
-What I would give to have been there...
|
 |
William S Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg
-The intensity of their stares and the dream-like exposure make this pure poetry.
|
 |
| Kerouac wondering NYC during the time of writing The Subterraneans. |
 |
| Neal Cassady & Natalie Jackson - San Francisco |
 |
| Neal Cassady & Natalie Jackson |
 |
William S Burroughs & Jack Kerouac in a Moroccan Dagger & Broomstick fight.
|
 |
Kerouac, Peter Orlovsky & William S Burroughs - Tangiers, Morocco
|
 |
| Gregory Corso & Allen Ginsberg - Tangier, Morocco |
 |
| Gregory Corso, Paul Bowles & William S Burroughs- Tangiers, Morocco |
 |
William S Burroughs & Peter Orlovsky - Tangiers, Morocco
|
 |
William S Burrough- During his period of intense cut up prose experiments- Tangier, Morocco
|
 |
Paul Bowles- Marrakesh, Morocco
|
 |
| Literary Morocco - W.S.Burroughs, A.Ginsberg, Alan Ansen, Gregory Corso, Bill B, Brion Gysin & Paul Bowles. |
 |
| Neal Cassady & Friends- San Francisco |
 |
Calcutta Poets
|
For further reading and information I encourage you to check out the website above and also The Allen Ginsberg Project blogspot.
I hope you all enjoyed a little touch of AG.
Be Well
Samira
