In the book Hotel Chelsea: Living in the Last Bohemian Haven, photographer Colin Miller and writer Ray Mock interviewed and photographed the last residents of the famed Chelsea Hotel. The artist’s haven was home to some of the most legendary creators including Jackson Pollock, Robert Mapplethorpe, Patti Smith, Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, and so many more.
Despite an ongoing conversion of the building into rentals, residents remain in about seventy apartments — holding steadfast despite the rapid change around the building. Starting January 17th, you can see a selection of Miller’s photographs from the book on display in Chelsea Market, in the main concourse across from Amy’s Bread
According to the press release, “the photos evoke a history and sentiment of old Downtown New York, centering on the living spaces and the profiles of the inhabitants themselves, with the omnipresence of a changing city…. The apartments showcase the often maximalist decorating sensibilities of these urban aesthetes resulting in a diverse collection of deliriously ornamental spaces with a campy edge.”
The decor reflects the quirkiness of the residents, who often work in theater, film or the visual arts. The book, and the forthcoming exhibition, is a reminder of the cultural capital that made New York City hum, at least in the last century.
Michelle is the founder of Untapped New York and the author of The Art Spy (HarperOne, forthcoming) Secret Brooklyn, Secret New York Hidden Bars & Restaurants, and Broadway. michelleyoungwriter.com
Photo by Colin Miller from Hotel Chelsea: Living in the Last Bohemian Haven
