Photographing on the Bowery, NY, NY April 1977 by Meryl Meisler @merylmeisler (2x2media client #5) Purgatory & Paradise: SASSY ’70s Suburbia & The City “Not in mine eyes alone is Paradise.” Dante Alighieri, Paradiso (XVIII, 21) “I am what I am, Leila. If there are self-made purgatories, then we all have to live in them. Mine can be no worse than someone else’s.” Dr. Spock, This Side of Paradise, Star Trek Season 1, Episode 24 “Meryl’s introduction to purgatory and the importance of being open-minded, not pre-judging people, began with a 1957 childhood incident, being told “You can never go to heaven, the best you can do is purgatory” because she was Jewish. That’s when Meryl learned about purgatory, and the importance of being open minded and not pre-judging people. Meryl moved to NYC in 1975, with her first paycheck she bought an antique edition of Dante’s Purgatory and Paradise illustrated by Gustave Doré. She needed to “own it” and take back the power.” For books or more of Meryl’s work: www.merylmeisler.com #femaleartist #womenarepowerful #artist #nyc #photographer #womenwhoshoot #womenphotographers #70yrsplus #merylmeisler #twobytwomedia #nonprofit #helpwomen #70yearsstrong #femalepower #onlinesupport #supportwomen
