2012 March 02 – Fading Ad Blog

Mon Mar 5, 7:00 pm

Greater Astoria Historical Society
Quinn Building, 35-20 Broadway, 4th Floor
Long Island City, NY 11106
718-278-0700 | info@astorialic.org

New York City is eternally evolving. From its iconic skyline to its side alleys, the new is perpetually being built on the debris of the past.

Fading ads are a beacon in the navigation of an urban life.They weave together the city’s unique history, culture, environment and society and tell the stories of the businesses, places and people whose lives transpired among them – the story of New York itself. Of the thousands of ads photographed, many have faded out of existence, been covered over or destroyed. But still many silently cling to the walls of buildings, barely noticed by the rushing passersby.

Quickly, this effort became a metaphor for survival since, like Jump himself, many of these ads had long outlived their expected life span. Although this campaign doesn’t deal directly with HIV/AIDS, it is no accident that he chose to document such a transitory and evanescent subject.

Frank H. Jump is a New York City artist and educator. Jump’s first major photo-exhibition ran at the New-York Historical Society from August to November of 1998. In the mid-2000’s, Jump and partner Aiosa opened the Fading Ad Gallery in Brooklyn where Jump’s photography was on display. Jump continues his documentation of these remnants of early advertising with the acclaimed Fading Ad Blog, a daily photo-blog featuring images he and Aiosa have taken of ads worldwide as well as the work of other fellow urban archaeologists.

These programs are supported by public funds form the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and NYC Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. Additional support provided by the membership of the Greater Astoria Historical Society.