PowerHouse books
Encyclopedia
powerHouse Books is an independent publisher of art and photography books founded in 1995 by Daniel Power, and is located near the Brooklyn waterfront of DUMBO
in The powerHouse Arena. Aside from their office, The powerHouse Arena also serves a gallery, bookstore, and event space often used to promote artists working with the publisher.
With a focus primarily on photography, powerHouse is known for publishing both famous photographers and artists known for work in other fields. They partnered with Charlie Ahearn
on Wild Style: The Sampler, a behind the scenes look at Ahearn's 1982 film Wild Style
, considered the first hip hop film
. In November 2008, the book Yes We Can: Barack Obama's History-Making Presidential Campaign by Scout Tufankjian
sold out its initial print of 55,000 a month before its official December release, prompting Powerhouse to print an additional 22,000 copies of the book. Other prominent artists who have partnered with the firm include Jack Pierson
, Ron Galella
, Helen Levitt
, Danny Lyon, and the photographic cooperative Magnum Photos
.
DUMBO, Brooklyn
Dumbo, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. It encompasses two sections: one located between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, which connect Brooklyn to Manhattan across the East River, and another that continues...
in The powerHouse Arena. Aside from their office, The powerHouse Arena also serves a gallery, bookstore, and event space often used to promote artists working with the publisher.
With a focus primarily on photography, powerHouse is known for publishing both famous photographers and artists known for work in other fields. They partnered with Charlie Ahearn
Charlie Ahearn (director)
Charlie Ahearn was born in 1951 in Binghamton, New York, and is a film director and creative cultural artist currently living in New York City. Although predominantly involved in film and video production, he is also known for his work as an author, freelance writer, and radio host...
on Wild Style: The Sampler, a behind the scenes look at Ahearn's 1982 film Wild Style
Wild Style
Wild Style is a 1983 hip hop film produced by Charlie Ahearn. Released theatrically in 1983 by First Run Features and later re-released for home video by Rhino Home Video, it is regarded as the first hip hop motion picture...
, considered the first hip hop film
Hip hop film
Hip hop films are motion pictures that display the aesthetics and culture of hip hop, primarily use hip hop music in the soundtrack, and/or use hip hop artists as main characters. Often hip hop films will use video clips from recorded concerts and documentaries.-Origins:In 1982, all the elements...
. In November 2008, the book Yes We Can: Barack Obama's History-Making Presidential Campaign by Scout Tufankjian
Scout Tufankjian
Scout Tufankjian is a photojournalist based in Brooklyn, New York. She covered Senator Barack Obama's campaign for President of the United States, and was the only independent journalist to follow him from the run up to his announcing his candidacy through his victory on election night. Tufankjian...
sold out its initial print of 55,000 a month before its official December release, prompting Powerhouse to print an additional 22,000 copies of the book. Other prominent artists who have partnered with the firm include Jack Pierson
Jack Pierson
Jack Pierson is a photographer and an artist. He studied at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. Pierson has made a name for himself with a body of work that includes photographs, collages, word sculptures, installations, drawings and artists books...
, Ron Galella
Ron Galella
Ron Galella is an American photographer, known as a pioneer paparazzo. Dubbed "Paparazzo Extraordinaire" by Newsweek and "the Godfather of the U.S...
, Helen Levitt
Helen Levitt
Helen Levitt was an American photographer. She was particularly noted for "street photography" around New York City, and has been called "the most celebrated and least known photographer of her time."- Biography :...
, Danny Lyon, and the photographic cooperative Magnum Photos
Magnum Photos
Magnum Photos is an international photographic cooperative owned by its photographer-members, with offices located in New York, Paris, London and Tokyo...
.