– and the mainstream media was hooked. On assignment for a major magazine, photographerarrived early at Empire one night in February 1980 to set up the lights, and then stepped back so that the rink could reach optimal capacity. Then, with the grace of a dancer, he stepped into the throng, moving at one with the ever-flowing energy of the skaters surrounding him.
Although the story never ran and the contact sheets and negatives were boxed up for nearly four decades, only to reemerge toward the end of Pagnano’s life, when he rediscovered and exhibited them inat BRIC in Brooklyn and a 2018 solo show at Benrubi Gallery in New York City. “Pat was thrilled. It was such a reward after struggling for so long,” says Kari Pagnano, his wife of over 40 years. “It was a beautiful tribute at the end of his life.
Floating in the eye of the storm, Pagnano watched as skaters gave their bodies to the music. “Pat would move in and out of situations seamlessly,” says Kari. “When he was on the street, people might be looking right at him but didn’t even notice when his camera went up. He didn’t want to impose himself on the scene because he didn’t want people to change their behavior.”
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago during the 1950s and 60s, Pagnano understood the rules of the street, and took great care to treat those he encountered with courtesy and respect. As a second-generation Italian-American growing up in a multigenerational home, Pagnano’s worldview was shaped by working-class values. Guided by his love of family and community, Pagnano sought out his purpose, searching for a way to inspire, support, and uplift the beauty and dignity of everyday people.
“Pat was a street kid so he never seemed out of his element,” says Karo. “He loved people and the energy. He really got into it.”