THE FACE OF WASHINGSTON SQUARE (1965)

A rare of New York City in the 1960s, captured through the eyes of a young Japanese photographer experiencing the city for the first time. While working at Nikon USA between 1962 and 1964, Watanabe wandered through Greenwich Village with his camera, documenting the everyday rhythms, characters, and street culture of Washington Square Park and its surroundings. From musicians and chess players to demonstrations, gatherings, storefronts, and quiet moments of daily life, Watanabe’s beautifully printed black-and-white photographs capture the spirit of a neighbourhood undergoing social and cultural change.