This is a photo series by Kevin Amato from 2012, called 'F*ck the Golden Years', as well as an interview he did with Dazed Digital on it. I really like Kevin Amato's work, he feels to me almost like the Joseph Szabo of the digital age.
I wrote: 'I chose to include some of Kevin Amato's photography because of its gritty authenticity in its approach to teenage urban youth culture. Especially now that I personally have just left my teenage years, the sources I draw from in this project invoke a nostalgia and I think it's really interesting to reach that from an American perspective.'
These are an exploration on fashion, identity and music. I include band t-shirts and a photography series called 'Sleevefaces' by Christophe Gowans, which I find interesting as it shows albums in the context of everyday life.
My notes read: 'Music informs personal ideals. It's very social. I would never have met my best friend if we hadn't been into the same bands at the same time. Band t-shirts communicate personal taste publicly. They are a beacon to find people who like the stuff you like. Music is political, and one's personal beliefs are inherent to it - both how we create and interact with it. It's not just music but film too. There are so many truly iconic t-shirts from cinema - I have included the blue and white ringer tee from 'Kids', 1995, dir. Larry Clark, and the jersey 'New York Herald Tribune' tee from 'A Bout de Souffle', 1960, dir. Jean-Luc Godard; pieces instantly recognisable to anyone in the know.'