By Jessica Dimmock & Roosevelt University
This project began when I met Jim Diamond on the street in lower Manhattan. He approached me because he saw that I was taking pictures and made it clear that he wanted to be photographed. He also let it be known that he was a cocaine dealer.
The night that I spent with Jim was fevered and chaotic. Jim’s phone rang constantly – a soft ambient tone alerted him to a call and Jim, sweaty, frantic, almost rabid, would answer often cursing loudly into the other end.
I followed Jim through the streets, as he screamed about cocaine deals, met with people quickly in phone booths, he seemed to know everyone.
With Jim I explored a hidden archipelago of the lower Manhattan’s underground economy: an upscale apartment, two cocaine-filled parties, the owner of an escort service operated from a fancy hotel room.
And eventually, 4 West 22nd Street – an elegant narrow building across from the famous Flatiron in Manhattan.
Posted on August 30, 2013