Dash Snow’s Prophetic Polaroids of American Decadence

Curated by Jeppe Ugelvig, a new exhibition in Paris showcases the striking works of the late photographer Dash Snow, exploring the alluring excesses of decadence.

Just 27 when he died, Dash Snow became a prominent figure in the East Village art scene during the turn of the century in New York. Coming from the de Menil family, he rejected luxury to embrace street culture, joining the iconic IRAK graffiti crew.

As the 1990s transitioned into the 2000s, Snow moved fluidly across the city with the rebellious style of an enfant terrible, creating a unique blend of photography, collage, zine art, and sculpture. With his Polaroid camera, Snow captured hypnotic images of New York, depicting a world on the brink of transformation that he sadly never witnessed.

Here, the artist is actor, collaborator and provocateur, striking a balance between public figure and enigma in the spirit of Marcel Duchamp and Andy Warhol.

He famously posed for Dave Schubert in a bathtub filled with his Polaroids, each image telling a story as captivating as its visual impact. Snow's photographs serve as artefacts of a fading New York, portraying a poetic intertwining of people and place. The visceral energy of sex, drugs, and violence acts as a gateway into the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

The exhibition Dash Snow: Carrion, Morán Morán's inaugural show in Paris, features nearly 50 Polaroid photographs, placing Snow within a broader historical context through curator Jeppe Ugelvig's vision.

Author’s summary: Dash Snow’s Polaroids reveal a raw, thrilling portrayal of New York’s underground culture at a pivotal era, blending personal chaos with universal themes of life and decay.

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AnOther Magazine — 2025-11-04

Dash Snow’s Prophetic Polaroids of American Decadence

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