Monday, November 1, 2010

Should artists own the Chelsea Hotel?

The Chelsea Hotel

When we went to the opening of the May group show
at the AmsterdamWhitney Gallery, we stayed at
the Chelsea Hotel in the heart of Chelsea in New York
City.  The hotel was built in 1883 and has been the
home to, and welcomed as visitors among others,
Sir Arthur Clarke, Thomas Wolfe, Arthur Miller,
Andy Warhol, Janice Joplin, Jim Hendrix, Jim
Morrison.  True the hotel has certainly lost its lustre,
and needs repair and restoration (note I don't say
renovation to turn it into something it was never meant
to be.)  But it is an artistic landmark with a painting of
Leonard Cohen and a work by Larry Rivers in the
lobby.  The staff are charming, the location excellent.

Jian Gomeshi proposed on Q on CBC Radio that all
the famous, and maybe not so famous artists who have
stayed there should band together and buy the place to
save its artistic soul.  What do you think?


Have a thinking-about-saving-soulful buildings day.

6 comments:

Sheila Vaughan said...

Yeh, great idea. I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel, Leonard (not you Barbara). But so wonderful to put an image to the voice in my head. Thank you Barbara !

Barbara Muir said...

What a great song Sheila. They were playing it the other night on our national radio -- CBC. I sure wish I could visit you there,(at the Chelsea) because it's a lot closer than Britain, and the beauty of your work dazzles me.

XOBarbara

Anonymous said...

yes, I think it would be a good idea for artists to own the Chelsea. It would be fitting.

Barbara Muir said...

Okay Sally,

Let's run a campaign. The former owners liked having artists living there splashing paint about.

XOBarbara

Melinda said...

What a great idea! Hmmm. We could have a kind of time share, with artistic reunions, similar to family reunions once a year. Wouldn't that be fun?!

We need patrons...

cohen labelle said...

Hi Barbara
Not a bad idea -how much moolah, bread- green stuff?
love Marcia

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!