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Arts

The edge of stardom: see the new collection of Nirvana shots dating back to 1990

Today, Nirvana is such a seminal name-check for all things ’90s and grunge that it’s hard to imagine a time they weren’t world famous. With the compounding success of Dave Grohl and Kurt Cobain’s tragic, unforgettable quietus, a return to simpler times remains impossible.

Which is perhaps the reason photos like this, taken before anyone truly knew the name Nirvana, are always so profound.

nirvana michael lavine Kurt Cobain 50: The Grunge Photographs of Michael Lavine
All photos by Michael Lavine.

After first making their acquaintance in 1990, photographer Michale Lavine would go on to shoot Nirvana four times over their explosive yet short career.

Michael Lavine’s photographs are soon to be exhibited in Bologna, Italy in commemoration of what would have been Kurt Cobain’s 50th year with us. Speaking to Dazed, the photographer reminisced on his short-lived time with Grohl, Cobain and Krist Novoselic, and shared a select few shots from that period.

Check them out below, and be sure to read the full interview if you’re interested.

Nevermind session, Los Angeles, May 23, 1991
Nevermind session, Los Angeles, May 23, 1991
Nevermind session, Los Angeles, May 23, 1991
New York City, April 25, 1990
New York City, January 11, 1992
New York City, January 11, 1992
New York City, April 25, 1990
Sassy photo shoot, New York City, January 12, 1992
Sassy photo shoot, New York City, January 12, 1992
Sassy photo shoot, New York City, January 12, 1992

The exhibition Kurt Cobain 50: The Grunge Photographs of Michael Lavine is running in in Bologna, Italy until January 31st, 2018.

Via Dazed.