There's a thing that happens in a city full of artists that's pretty unique. I've heard stories from people who hung around in New York's SoHo during the days before the huge loft spaces were equipped with Viking appliances and called for $500/sq foot price tags. Artists filled these spaces with their work, hosted parties there, and pretty much squatted, since it was all just empty commercial space. Eventually, this all became so cool that the vultures circled and drove out what made it the place to be. The artists moved on to another forgotten neighborhood while their former home was gentrified and turned into multi-million dollar condos.
Right now, there is an early SoHo effect going on where I live. The vultures have already descended, but they are in concentrated packs along the waterfront. Small pockets of forgotten space are being used as temporary gallery spaces and music venues. It's a fun time to be a creative person.
I went to one of these places for a party over the weekend. Had I not been invited to a musician's listening party, I never would have known it existed, in a space that was once occupied by a restaurant. The owner of the storefront knows the vultures are coming, and he's holding out to cash in. But meanwhile, he is allowing some young and talented artists to use it as a gallery space. It was exciting to be surrounded by passionate, creative people who are all navigating their way through this period of time, and doing it so well. It also may lead to a collaboration with one very cute and talented artist.
Other weekend tidbits: Roy digs chubby chicks. He's also been put on final warning, because of an incident during last week. I could be roommate-less soon.
I learned that two of my exes are planning on being in town in the next month. Should be interesting, and I hope they don't both show up at the same time.
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5 comments:
just lurking around reading about a life that is WAY more interesting than this one with 2 tween drama queens in the throws of back to school fashion and social turmoil! LOL!
I need pictures of the gallery spaces with lots of cool art and definite details on the two exes in town at the same time - remember some of us are living vicariously through your blog ;)
Hmm, roommate with a second personality and a fetish? Two exes showing up at the same time? Your life is sounding more and more like a sitcom! All you need is a wacky neighbor.
SCENE 4: Elizabeth and neighbor sitting in her apartment
Neighbor: All right. Let's go over it again, one more time.
Elizabeth: All right. So I tell ex that I want to have a ménage à trois...
ok boaf..your comments are now officially just your own little fantasies spilled out onto the screen. and no, i'm not casting you as the wacky neighbor.
I have a good friend named Tony King who was one of those early lofter in New York. Simultaneously, ho bought big chunks of acreage near a little town called Occidental, in California's Pinot Noir capital. He still owns his loft that he remodeled himself. He still owns the huge chunk of land in one of the most expensive areas of northern California.
For a guy who does nothing but paint, he has done better than most.
I emodeled his house which had once been a chicken coop, and now he is hanging ten by thirty pieces on the walls...
i'm sure he has lots of cool stories about those days, i sometimes wish i was around during that era. always nice to hear about artists who get to do what they love and still live well! there is hope for us all yet
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