Benjamin Lowy

RECENT WORK: iDemocracy | The RNC and DNC

On the eve of the 2012 American presidential elections, delegates, super delegates, guests and protesters converged on both Tampa, Florida and Charlotte, North Carolina for the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. The revelry was filled with characters, ceremony, demagogues and power networkers. The conventions were a rallying point for the political faithful and apostates. It is an amusement park of ideology and a pep rally for politics. It as only fitting that both conventions were held in sports stadiums, with crowds of jubilant fans waving placards and flags, for their "team" and basking in the political process.

These images were made on assignment for The New Yorker magazine’s Instagram feed.

   
Barechested for Obama.
   
Protesters chant and rage during an anti-RNC march in downtown Tampa.
     
  
RNC delegates recite the Pledge of Allegiance on the final might of the 2012 Republican National Convention.
   
Delegates from North Carolina watch President Obama's keynote speech from the floor of the Democratic National Convention.
   
An anti-establishment protester signals his displeasure at a line of riot police protecting the RNC convention center in downtown Tampa.
     
  
   
  
A street vendor sells Barak Obama hand puppets outside the Time Warner Arena following the conclusion of the first session of the Democratic National Convention.
     
  
Faces of the RNC
   
Faces of the RNC.
   
     
  
The crowd sports Paul Ryan masks at the RNC.
   
  
A delegate dressed as honest Abe Lincoln in the Tampa Bay Forum for the first day of the RNC.
     
  
   
A Republican delegate at the RNC shows off her Obama countdown clock.
   
Democratic delegates listen to First Lady Michelle Obama's keynote speech during the first session of the DNC.
     
  
   
President Bill Clinton addresses a raucous crowd at the Democratic National Convention.
   
     
  
Political pins, worn and for sale.
   
Mitt Romney mic check before the final session of the 2012 RNC.
   
     
  
   
Delegates from Colorado arrive at the Tampa Bay Forum for the first day of the Republican National Convention
   
     
  
   
A partygoer outside a delegate event at the Charlotte Observer building during the Democratic National Convention.
   
     
  
   
A young child sleeps on his mother's shoulder as the color guard marches on stage during the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
   
Audience members cheer during a public taping of MSNBC's Hardball in Uptown Charlotte prior to the DNC.
     
  
A disabled democrat hugs an American flag during the keynote address on the first night session of the Democratic National Convention.
   
  
     
  
Protesters at the Democratic National Convention.
   
Anti-establishment protesters march on what was to be the first day of the postponed Republican National Convention in downtown Tampa.
   
     
  
Jesse Jackson on the floor of the Democratic National Convention.
   
  
Delegate fashion.
     
  
   
  
     
  
   
President Obama addresses a packed house during his keynote speech on the final night of the Democratic National Convention.
  
     
  
Confetti and Balloons fall on republican delegates, alternates, and guests following Mitt Romney's speech and the close of the 2012 RNC.
   
Republican Candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan (bottom left) embrace under a swarm of balloons and cheers following the conclusion of the 2012 Republican National Convention.
   
A RNC protester signals his displeasure with the Florida National Guard.