This book is the first of four volumes documenting my series done in 1968 called "Open Space In the Inner City". This project was about finding potential recreational areas in the urban environment where you could possibly make small parks...like the abandoned industrial waterfront ,vacant lots, and roof tops.
It was first shown at the Sierra Club Gallery in New York .The exhibit combined actual architectural drawings , models of successful local vest pocket parks, and transformed waterfront areas with contrasting areas of derelict urban decay.
Later, the project was picked up the The New York State Council on the Arts and made into a 50 plate boxed portfolio in an edition of 1000 that was given free to schools or libraries to do their own in house presentation and discussions on such topics such as pollution and alienation.
Other volumes to follow compiled from this series of images are-- Volume two:Urban Teens, Volume 3: Urban Portraits, Volume 4:Urban Landscapes.
To see more of my work please go to my website www.arthurtress.com.
Most recently this year, I have had a large format hardcover book published by Birch Books called "Skate Park' that covers many of the same themes, but is focused on the new large amazingly designed concrete skateparks being built in California and the adolescents that use them. It is available from Amazon.com for $45.00.