Glen E. Friedman

As a pre-teen Friedman rode skateboards in the embanked schoolyards of West Los Angeles along with others who would revolutionize the activity. In late 1976, while he was still in junior high school, Friedman corralled some of his friends, who were beginning to be featured in magazines, into riding in an empty swimming pool so he could make pictures. He showed the results to a freelance SkateBoarder writer, who put Friedman in touch with the editor. SkateBoarder published photographs by Friedman as a full-page subscription advertisement. He soon after became their youngest staff member.

Several years later Friedman began to photograph at punk shows. Black Flag received some of their first media documentation through Friedman's work.[http://www.southern.com/BURNINGFLAGS/introduction.html Fuck You Heroes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060523002746/http://www.southern.com/BURNINGFLAGS/introduction.html |date=May 23, 2006 }} Introduction by C.R. Stecyk III In 1981, he photographed his first record album cover, Adolescents by Adolescents."[http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,41274,00.html The Adolescents]", Artistdirect. Accessed June 13, 2015. As well as many other punk record covers including Minor Threat's Salad Days EP. Friedman's self-published punk zine, My Rules: Photozine (1982), sold 10,000 copies and was the largest selling zine of the era.{{Cite web|url=http://theressomethinghardinthere.blogspot.com/2012/03/look-inside-my-rules-photozine-with-man.html|title=There's Something Hard in There: A look inside the 'My Rules' photozine with man behind the lens Glen e. Friedman|date=March 3, 2012}}

Friedman managed punk band Suicidal Tendencies and in 1983 produced their eponymous debut album.

In 1985, Friedman was introduced to Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, after creating some memorable Beastie Boys photos, before they were widely known. Friedman began working with them and their newly formed Def Jam Records, promoting Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Ice-T and Run-DMC. He also photographed many of their album covers and publicity materials, including the covers of Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, and Beastie Boys' Check Your Head.{{cite news | url = http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/01/behind-the-cover-photo-on-digging-up-a-super-rare-shot-of-adam-yauch/ | date = January 1, 2013 | access-date = June 12, 2015 | first = Amy | last = Kellner | newspaper = The New York Times | title = Behind the Cover Photo: On Digging Up a Super-Rare Shot of Adam Yauch}} Many of his photographs have become recognized as the subjects' definitive portraits.[http://burningflags.com/press/warp.html Warp magazine] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512054327/http://www.burningflags.com/press/warp.html |date=May 12, 2008 }}, February 1995 – Glen E. Friedman – Photos from the Edge by Ian Christie. In 1987 he relocated back to New York.

Friedman has collaborated with artist Shepard Fairey, many times, including limited edition prints based on Friedman's photographs.{{cite web|url=http://obeygiant.com/prints/rollins-81 |title=Rollins 81 | first = Shepard | last = Fairey | authorlink = Shepard Fairey |access-date=May 1, 2011}}{{cite web |title=Keith Morris Prints | first = Shepard | last = Fairey | authorlink = Shepard Fairey | url=http://www.obeygiant.com/prints/keith-morris-prints}}{{Cite web|url=https://obeygiant.com/prints/ice-t-og-blue/|title = Ice-T og (Blue)}}{{Cite web|url=https://obeygiant.com/prints/public-enemy/|title=Public Enemy|website=Obey Giant}}{{Cite web|url=https://obeygiant.com/prints/jeff-ho-zephyr-gold/|title = Jeff Ho Zephyr (Gold)}}{{Cite web|url=https://obeygiant.com/prints/jello-biafra/|title=Jello Biafra|website=Obey Giant}}{{Cite web|url=https://obeygiant.com/prints/cornel-west-print/|title = Cornel West Print}}{{Cite web|url=https://obeygiant.com/prints/bad-brains-collaboration-print/|title=Bad Brains Collaboration Print|website=Obey Giant}}

In 2004, Friedman created the "Liberty Street Protest" at Ground Zero in New York City. Its provocative anti-war sentiment received attention internationally. It was "re-visited" in 2010 in support of Freedom of Religion, and the placement of a mosque a few blocks away from Ground Zero in New York City.{{cite news | url = http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rap_mogul_paned_plea_for_tolerance_q9RdZHUAMGKdkSE6VVTR5H | title = Rap mogul's 'paned' plea for tolerance | newspaper = New York Post | first = Rebecca | last = Harshbarger | date = August 25, 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100927101618/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rap_mogul_paned_plea_for_tolerance_q9RdZHUAMGKdkSE6VVTR5H | archive-date = September 27, 2010 | df = mdy-all }}

In 2012, Friedman was inducted as an "Icon" into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.{{Cite news|date=May 2012|title=2012 Skateboarding Hall of Fame Induction|newspaper=Transworld Business|url=http://business.transworld.net/98064/features/2012-skateboarding-hall-of-fame-induction/}}{{cite web|title=Skateboarding Hall of Fame 2012 Inductees|url=http://www.skateboardinghalloffame.org/projects-category/2012/|publisher=skateboardinghalloffame.org|access-date=June 15, 2015|archive-date=July 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150718025936/http://www.skateboardinghalloffame.org/projects-category/2012/|url-status=dead}}

Friedman is a progressive political activist, shuns intoxicants (straight edge), and follows a vegan diet.{{Cite news | title = Glen E. Friedman | newspaper = Herbivore Magazine | date =Fall 2003 | url = http://burningflags.com/press/herbivore.php| url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012140030/http://www.burningflags.com/press/herbivore.php |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.americansuburbx.com/2010/11/interview-interview-with-glen-e.html|title="If it's not your life then get the fuck out" – A Chat with Glen E. Friedman (2010)|publisher=American Suburb X|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=May 8, 2016}}{{cite web |title=Vegetarianism in skateboarding (1978 to 2015) |url=https://www.christiankoeder.com/2011/12/vegetarianism-in-skateboard-scen.html?m=1 |website=www.christiankoeder.com |access-date=6 May 2024 |language=en |date=23 December 2011}} He lives in New York City.{{cite web | url = http://www.burningflags.com/bio/ | title = Official Biography | author = Glen E. Friedman | date = | access-date = May 1, 2011}}

• My Rules: Photozine. Self-published, 1982.
• Fuck You Heroes: Glen E. Friedman photographs 1976–1991. Self-published / Burning Flags, 1994. {{ISBN|0-9641916-0-1}}. With an introduction by C.R. Stecyk III. A collection of his better-known photographs of skateboarding, punk, and hip hop subcultures spanning 1976 to 1991.
• Fuck You Too: The Extras + More Scrapbook. ConSafos, 1996. Second edition, 2005. {{ISBN|0-9656535-0-1}}. With commentary by C.R. Stecyk III and an afterword by Sam Sifton.
• The Idealist
• The Idealist: Glen E. Friedman – In My Eyes – 20 Years. ConSafos, 1998. {{ISBN|978-0965653541}}.
• The Idealist: Glen E. Friedman – In My Eyes – 25 Years (1976–2001). Self-published / Burning Flags, 2003. {{ISBN|978-0-9641916-5-5}}.
• Dogtown: The Legend of the Z-Boys. Self-published / Burning Flags, 2000. C.R. Stecyk III and Glen E. Friedman. {{ISBN|0-9641916-4-4}}.
• Dogtown: The Legend of the Z-Boys – Expanded edition. Akashic / Burning Flags, 2019. C.R. Stecyk III and Friedman. {{ISBN|1617756997}}.
• Recognize. Self-published / Burning Flags, 2005. {{ISBN|0-9641916-6-0}}. With a preface by Peter Lamborn Wilson.
• Keep Your Eyes Open: The Fugazi Photographs of Glen E. Friedman. Self-published / Burning Flags, 2007. {{ISBN|0-9641916-8-7}}.
• Akashic / Burning Flags, 2019. Expanded second edition {{ISBN| 1617757004}}. With an introduction by Ian F. Svenonius.
• My Rules. Rizzoli, 2014. {{ISBN|0847843556}}. A different publication than the 1982 publication of the same name.
• Together Forever: The Run-DMC and Beastie Boys Photographs of Glen E. Friedman. Rizzoli, 2019. {{ISBN|0847866475}}. With an introduction by Chris Rock.
• What I See: The Black Flag Photographs of Glen E. Friedman. Akashic / Burning Flags, 2022. First edition. {{ISBN| 163614036X}}. With an introduction by Chuck Dukowski.
• Just a Minor Threat: The Minor Threat Photographs of Glen E. Friedman. Akashic / Burning Flags, 2023. First edition. {{ISBN| 1636141366}}.

• A Look Back at DogTown and Z-Boys (2021) – director, producer, cinematographer
• Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001) – co-producer and creative consultant
• No No: A Dockumentary (2014) – associate producer and creative consultant
• Saving Banksy (2017) – himself
• Obey Giant (2017) – himself

• Fuck You All, Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, 1997; Sydney, 1998; Tokyo, 1998; Rome, 1998; Florence, 1998; Milan, 1998; Berlin, 1999; Stockholm, 1999; Chicago, 1999; Washington, D.C., 2000; Philadelphia, 2000; Stockholm, 2000; Los Angeles, 2002; Antwerp, Belgium, 2007; Krakow, Poland, 2009; Dublin, 2010; San Francisco, 2010;[http://www.photoireland.org/2010/programme/event/fuck-you-all "Photo Ireland Festival"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627043706/http://www.photoireland.org/2010/programme/event/fuck-you-all |date=June 27, 2010 }}, Photo Ireland Canary Islands, Spain, 2014.
• The Idealist, Los Angeles, 2004
• Idealist Propaganda, Subliminal Projects, Los Angeles, 2008 {{cite web | url = http://blogs.laweekly.com/play/weiss/the-raw-power-of-glen-e-friedm/ | title = Idealist Propaganda: The Raw Power of Glen E. Friedman | publisher = LA Weekly | first = Jeff | last = Weiss | date = December 14, 2008 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090121071703/http://blogs.laweekly.com/play/weiss/the-raw-power-of-glen-e-friedm/ | archive-date = January 21, 2009 | df = mdy-all }} Retrospective exhibition.
• My Rules, ATP Gallery at 14 Henrietta St, London, November 21, 2014 – January 18, 2015.{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/29/-sp-glen-e-friedmans-photographs-from-the-births-of-hip-hop-and-hardcore-punk-in-pictures | date = November 29, 2014 | access-date = June 12, 2015 | first = Killian | last = Fox | work = The Guardian | title = Glen E Friedman's photographs from the births of hip-hop and hardcore punk – in pictures}}
• The Burning Flags Tour, Barcelona, Spain, 2022; {{cite news | url = https://www.barcelona.cat/barcelonacultura/en/recomanat/glen-e-friedman-exhibition| date = June 8, 2022 | access-date = July 31, 2023 | first = John | last = López | work = Centralzine | title = Entrevista a Glen E. Friedman (Burning Flags Tour Barcelona)}} Paris, France 2023 {{cite news | url = https://jack.canalplus.com/articles/lire/de-black-flag-a-beastie-boys-ils-peuvent-tous-dire-merci-aux-photos-de-glen-e-friedman | date = July 20, 2023 | access-date = July 31, 2023 | first = Maxime | last = Delcourt | work = Canal+ | title = DE BLACK FLAG AUX BEASTIE BOYS, ILS DISENT TOUS MERCI AUX PHOTOS DE GLEN E. FRIEDMAN}}

Friedman's work is held in the following public collections:

• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York.{{cite web | url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/294343?sortBy=Relevance&ft=glen+E.+friedman&offset=0&rpp=20&pos=1 | title=Glen e. Friedman | Tony Alva, Trespassing in Beverly Hills | date=1977 }}
• Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley, California.{{Cite web|url=https://bampfa.org/news/newly-acquired-glen-e-friedman-photographs-capture-searing-energy-nascent-hardcore-and|title = Newly Acquired Glen e. Friedman Photographs Capture the Searing Energy of the Nascent Hardcore and Skateboarding Scenes | BAMPFA| date=May 2, 2011 }}
• Smithsonian Institution, Photographic History Collection, National Museum of American History. Washington D.C.The Smithsonian does not list all collections on-line, but the curator Shannon Perich was reached for confirmation.{{Cite web|url=http://burningflags.com/bio/|title = Bio | Glen e. Friedman}}
• Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Houston, Texas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mfah.org/search?q=glen+e.+friedman|title = Search Results for glen e. Friedman}}
• Morgan Library and Museum, New York, New York.{{Cite web|url=http://corsair.themorgan.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=372334|title = Glen e. Friedman selected works 1: Ten photographs|year = 2013| oclc=894118097 }}
• Stanford University, Stanford, California.{{Cite book|url=http://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/10344243|title=Glen e. Friedman selected works 1: Ten photographs|year=2013}}
• New York Public Library, New York, New York.{{Cite web|url=http://wallachprintsandphotos.nypl.org/catalog?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=glen+e.+friedman&search_field=all_fields&commit=search|title = Wallach Prints and Photos Search Results}}
• University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.http://catalog.library.ucla.edu/vwebv/search?searchCode1=GKEY&searchType=2&searchArg1=ucoclc872685175 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}
• Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.http://findingaids.library.emory.edu/documents/friedman1341/printable/ {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}
• Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.{{cite web | url=https://newcatalog.library.cornell.edu/catalog?search_field=publisher+number%2Fother+identifier&q=872685175 | title=Search Results | Cornell University Library Catalog }}
• Wolfsonian-FIU, Miami Beach, Florida.
• W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.BurningFlags.com Burning Flags site dedicated to Glen E. Friedman's Archive and latest information.]
• [https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/Bi9o76rda6rqcHqP Glen E. Friedman collection] at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History (Photographic History collection)
• {{IMDb name|nm0295220}}

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Category:1962 births

Category:American photographers

Category:Artists from North Carolina

Category:Living people

Category:Skateboarding photographers