Nostalgia & History: LUMEN ARCHETYPES — Portraits by Kristopher Johnson (Photo Essay)

As part of our Nostalgia & History series, this photo essay spotlights photographer Kristopher Johnson and his LUMEN ARCHETYPES—a powerful series capturing the diverse faces and vibrant community of Staten Island’s LUMEN festival. Through his iconic pop-up portrait studio, Kristopher documented the energy and creativity that transformed an industrial waterfront into a dynamic art hub. This essay honors not only Kristopher’s unique vision but also how the groundbreaking festival LUMEN redefined not just Staten Island’s waterfront but also the idea of art as a communal and immersive experience.