Pop Smart - See & Do: Street Life at the High

By Felicia Feaster Thursday December 27, 2007 05:23 PM EST

In 2007 every dude with “Mom” tattooed on his bicep thinks he’s a badass. It’s nice to be reminded that, once upon a time, there were actual outcasts who lived on society’s margins who didn’t need to flaunt their renegade status. Photographer Susan Meiselas documented the grimy last dregs of the freak-show circuit in her “Carnival Strippers” series of tired-looking women continuing the cooch dance’s ignoble tradition (pictured). Like Meiselas, many of the photographers in STREET LIFE: AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 1960S AND ‘70S at the High Museum continuing today, Dec. 27, went deep undercover, living among and befriending their subjects. Dennis Carlyle Darling and Danny Lyon both followed bikers, Lyon spending four years with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Garry Winogrand was committed to photographing public street life, including New York’s women in his “Women Are Beautiful” series. Through April 20. $18. Tues.-Wed. and Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., noon-5 p.m. 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-4444. www.high.org.