3 min read

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Major Tom, Kansas City - $20, 1990: 1992 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Major Tom, Kansas City – $20*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia’s Hustlers

Between 1990 and 1992, photographer Philip-Lorca diCorcia made five trips to Los Angeles to take photos of male prostitutes in Hollywood. DiCorcia first approached his subjects in LA’s Boystown, located in West Hollywood. Instead of having sexual activities, diCorcia offered to pay after getting photographs of them.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - André Smith, 28 years old; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; $30 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *André Smith, 28 years old; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; $30*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Brent Booth; 21 years old; Des Moines, Iowa; $30 1990-92 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Brent Booth; 21 years old; Des Moines, Iowa; $30*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Brian Scott, 24 years old, San Marco, California, $25, 1990 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Brian Scott, 24 years old, San Marco, California, $25, 1990*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

The best spots for Hustlers

Before making an agreement with the hustlers, diCorcia had already looked for perfect locations that would bring mystery to his works. He set up the spots in cheap hotel rooms, parking lots, street corners and even the places where the trade of the hustlers is happening. He was focused on the angles where the lights would emphasize the story of the man he wanted to show in order to share the emotions of his protagonists.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Chris, 28 years old; Los Angeles, California; $30 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Chris, 28 years old; Los Angeles, California; $30*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Eddie Anderson, 21 years old; Houston, Texas; $20 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Eddie Anderson, 21 years old; Houston, Texas; $20*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Gerald Hughes (a.k.a. Savage Fantasy), about 25 years old; Southern California; $50 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Gerald Hughes (a.k.a. Savage Fantasy), about 25 years old; Southern California; $50*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

The price of the hustlers

DiCorcia shows what some people may call a harsh reality. Each portrait has the name of the subject with its corresponding price. The prices of these hustlers are real.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Ike Cole, 38 years old; Los Angeles, California; $25 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Ike Cole, 38 years old; Los Angeles, California; $25*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Joe Reeves, 37 years old; San Fernando, California; $40 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Joe Reeves, 37 years old; San Fernando, California; $40*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Keith Ryan, 36 years old; Bakersfield, California; $30 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Keith Ryan, 36 years old; Bakersfield, California; $30*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

First time exhibited in 1993

In 1993, the photos were exhibited in diCorcia’s first-ever museum show, called Strangers, at the Museum of Modern art in New York. The exhibition showed not only the beauty of the photographs but the strategies and styles diCorcia used in his pieces. Later on, it was entitled Hustlers since it is the best description for the service hustlers rendered.

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Marilyn, 28 years old; Las Vegas, Nevada; $30 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Marilyn, 28 years old; Las Vegas, Nevada; $30*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Mike Miller, 24 years old, Allentown, Pennsylvania, $25, 1990-92 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Mike Miller, 24 years old, Allentown, Pennsylvania, $25*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Philip-Lorca diCorcia - Ralph Smith, 21 years old; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; $25 — Philip-Lorca diCorcia – *Ralph Smith, 21 years old; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; $25*, 1990/1992, from *Hustlers*

Exhibition video at David Zwirner

1 min 45 sec

Impact on Society

The viewer can see how appealing the shots are but know that behind those photos is the sad truth about life. No matter how nice the pose of the boys in Boystown is, some of the hustlers might have no choice to escape and are forced to live a life that they can’t get out of. It has been two decades now since the photos were taken, but still, its impact is there.