Josh Katz’s ‘On The Roof is a testament to Brooklyn communities
Across 17 interconnected rooftops in Bushwick, a neighborhood came together in the most unlikely of circumstances. Residents watched as their neighbors fell in love, children grew, and friendships were made. It was the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, and photographer Josh Katz was there to capture every moment.
During the first few claustrophobic days stuck inside in March 2020, Katz, who turned 24 during the first few months of the pandemic, journeyed to find his rooftop for some air. As soon as he moved the wooden hatch, he said “This story unfolded before my eyes,” and Katz set out to go to the rooftops every day. He did this for over two months.
Katz began documenting his rooftop community on Instagram. His first post was on March 22, 2020. It was a photo of a couple, out in the sun on their roof, swinging themselves around with joy, along with other photos of people living (and social distancing) in their new pandemic world. Katz captioned this first post saying, “Watching people emerge onto the roof from their fire escapes and hatches, climbing out into the sun for the first time in days, reminds me of a submarine and its crew surfacing after a long stint underwater. Relief, relaxation, and celebration are in the air.”
In his new book, “On The Roof,” Katz documents the life of his Bushwick community, these 17 rooftops, and the respite to be found in this world above.