Capitol Hat

16x20 inch Black & White print on Epson Art Cotton Smooth 250 gram paper. From the NYC Village Halloween Parade, 1982–86.

A wide, paper-model replica of the United States Capitol Building rests precariously atop a masquerader's head, serving as an architectural crown at the NYC Village Halloween Parade between 1982 and 1986. This black-and-white analog frame, shot from a high camera angle, emphasizes the intricate scale of the headpiece as it stretches across the frame, nearly touching the "DO NOT CROSS" police barricade in the background. The powerful burst from a Norman 200B flash illuminates the sharp angles of the paper dome and the joyful expressions of the wearer and a young onlooker, while casting deep, dramatic shadows that are characteristic of classic Tri-X film. Captured with a 35mm Pentax, the grainy texture and high-contrast lighting preserve a moment of political satire and creative craftsmanship in the heart of Greenwich Village. It is a striking example of the DIY costume spirit that defined the annual NYC tradition during the mid-80s.