Scattered around the state of Nevada in little, unassuming desert towns, prostitution is thriving. Marc McAndrews’ extraordinary new book and exhibition, Nevada Rose, gives readers a peek into this legal, albeit secretive, world of fantasy and theater. The end result of a five-year project, McAndrews takes us inside the thirty-three “ranches” in and around towns like Pahrump, Ely, Carson City, and Scotty’s Junction. The brothels have equally folksy names and charming sobriquets: The Black Pearl, the Stardust Ranch, Chicken Ranch, and Inez’s Dancing and Diddling, among others. While the book includes a diverse array of images of the working girls in their working costumes, McAndrews also takes us behind the curtain of sex into a world of brothel life rarely discussed—the kitchens and the cooks, laundry rooms and lounges, timers, personal bedrooms, and pets. We meet the managers and the madams in a fascinating insider’s view that explores the difference between the real and the perceived in American culture and mores.

About the Artist:

MARC MCANDREWS grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, and received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts. He regularly takes off on long working road trips, concentrating on documenting American culture. It was through these travels that Marc began his book project, Nevada Rose which captures the personalities and places of Nevada’s legal brothels. His work has been seen in magazines such as Time, Stern, Inc., Exit, Fortune Small Business, and others. He was a recipient of the Magenta Arts Foundation’s 2006 “Flash Forward” award. Nevada Rose was nominated for the 2009 NY Photo Awards and was an official selection for the 2009 Lucie Awards. His series “JROTC” was an official selection for the 2009 Lucie Awards. McAndrews has lectured at The New School, Sarah Lawrence College, Cooper Union, and New York’s International Center for Photography. He lives in New York.

After-party

Following the opening, an event celebrating the release of the book will be hosted by Marc McAndrews and Humble Arts Foundation in association with Umbrage Editions, and will feature appearances by comedienne and performance artist Amber Martin, singer Julia Haltigan, and special guests including Mika Tan and Bunny Ranch owner Dennis Hof.

Nevada Rose Book Release After Party Bubby’s Brooklyn, 1 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 $25 in advance, $35 at the door