I feel like I've known Patti Smith my whole life. When I was a child in the 70s, my cool older cousin Lucy idolized her, and though I wasn't ready to embrace her then (frankly, her hairy armpits terrified me), I eventually grew into her.
I started listening to her music, and when I moved to New York I went to see her sing, speak, read poetry. I used to walk to walk to work in Soho, and I would see Patti on Macdougal Street so often it felt like one day she would greet me, call out my name like Norm walking into Cheers. I read "Just Kids," everyone did, it won the National Book Award, but it still felt cozy and familiar, the way looking at pictures of old friends does.
My friend Cameron (@roon) posted a photo he shot of model Kara Neko (@indianpython) on Instagram; I thought she looked beautiful and compelling, and I realized she reminded me of Patti--her braids, the shape of her face, her direct gaze and expressive body. Kara and I connected through the app and made a plan to shoot together.
Patti Smith, "Day Dream" by Frank Stefanko; used with permission
Kara Neko (@indianpython) at A-1 Records, East Village NYC; photo by @jillshomer
I picked locations for us that would creatively play up on the association: A record store in the East Village, and the great punk clothing store Trash and Vaudeville.
Kara Neko (@indianpython) at Trash and Vaudeville, Saint Mark's Place, NYC; photo by @jillshomer
The Chelsea Hotel, where Patti and Robert Mapplethorpe lived together, is no longer accepting lodgers, so we shot at the Duane Street Hotel in Tribeca. Patti famously wore a crisp white men's shirt on the cover of Horses, Kara is equally dramatic in a plush white robe.
Kara Neko (@indianpython) at the Duane Street Hotel, Tribeca, NYC; photos by @jillshomer
"Love is an angel disguised as lust..."
Kara Neko (@indianpython) at the Duane Street Hotel, Tribeca, NYC; photos by @jillshomer
I am hugely grateful to Kara Neko for collaborating with me on this project, and to Instagram for bringing us together. Follow us on the app: @jillshomer @indianpython @roon
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
