Mel Rosenthal's South Bronx photographs document 1970s urban decay and resilience at Museum of the City of New York

Mel Rosenthal's photographic series documenting the South Bronx during the 1970s is currently on view at the Museum of the City of New York through October 16. The exhibition, titled "In the South Bronx of America: Photographs of Mel Rosenthal," presents images Rosenthal created after abandoning his academic career as a literature professor to pursue photography. Returning to his native South Bronx in the mid-1970s, Rosenthal found what he described as a "war zone" characterized by desolation, hopelessness, and absurdity. His work captures both the devastation of the era—marked by widespread urban renewal, drastic rezoning, and demolition of tenement neighborhoods like Morrisania—and the resilience of residents who remained. One notable photograph from 1976-1982 shows four teenagers clearing rubble to create a neighborhood garden, exemplifying Rosenthal's compassionate approach to portraying marginalized subjects. The exhibition serves as a testament to a significant period in New York City's history, reclaiming dignity for communities affected by urban policies. The show is located at 1220 Fifth Avenue, between 103rd and 104th streets in New York City.