Documentary Photographer Michael Rababy has come up with an entirely novel way of looking at Folsom Street Fair. Lost amid the brilliant SOMA cityscape and the remarkable diversity and sexual freedom is the fuel for the annual celebration of self-expression and individuality: food.
Yes, food.
Lining several blocks at the annual fair are food and beer trucks offering what San Francisco does best after sexual liberation: Great cuisine. There’s pasta, sausages, burgers, gourmet sandwiches, all of which in this foodie paradise become somehow special no matter how ordinary they may seem. Followed with a Bud, you’d think you were enjoying fine wine and a seven-course French meal.
Published by Delancey Street Press, the softcover limited edition fine art book, Folsom Street Food Court features Rababy’s wonderfully unguarded images of people in various states of dress and undress in the rarely photographed street fair food court. Rababy chose to cover two years shot a decade apart (2007 and 2017) to demonstrate that although the city of San Francisco has gentrified over time, the Folsom Street Fair seems to maintain much of its original authenticity.
Here’s a small sampling of the images, but please don’t be shy about actually purchasing the book.
Photos courtesy of Michael Rababy
This article includes links that may result in a small affiliate share for purchased products, which helps support independent LGBTQ+ media.
