Are we all pawns in the macanations of property magnates? Hyperallergic investigates a new proposal from Stonehenge, a NYC real estate company, where twenty lucky artist will be given free housing for a year in exchange a few commissions. This speculative commodification of art is familiar take on a classic; a musky odor of whitewashing, art washing, and gentrification by proxy lingers in the air. Food for thought without visiting a bodega.
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7 Comments
Jiyoung
3/30/2021 10:37:48 pm
I am very interested in the art world during this pandemic, and it was good that you introduced an article that showed the reality of artists during the pandemic. I hope that there will be many opportunities for artists to live better lives in difficult times.
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Kevin Bartelheim
4/15/2021 03:05:30 pm
This article brings up many valid points. Without going deeper into the problems portrayed in this article the common person would think that offering free housing for 20 people in exchange for some of their art would be great. However, this is masking a much larger issue and comes across as mere bread crumbs. Thank you for sharing this article, it provides great insight into the art community of New York and showing the intersectionality of problems facing it.
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Zachary Sauers
4/15/2021 05:33:01 pm
Thanks for sharing this article. The author does raise some valid points on this topic. It’s hard to blame the artists for taking the deal these housing companies are offering, seeing as the system is set up in such a way as to lead to a life of lower economic standing. I can understand why an artist would take such a deal, but it does stand to reason that taking a stance against what the companies are proposing is one of the few ways to change the system for the better. Great points and very interesting.
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Being aware of the subtle machinations of developers is very important. I remember when Long Beach and some developers financed the creation of "artists lofts" to "support the arts" here in town. Not one artist moved in, just a bunch of yuppie hipsters who could brag they lived in an "artist loft." And the city didn't care, did not offer rentals to artists first, etc. etc. Thanks for sharing this article, we need to find more ways to value art beyond the dollar and teach our kids the same values.
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4/21/2021 07:52:50 pm
This was a fascinating article. First, I thought what a great opportunity. I know people who have lived and currently live in NY. The rent there is extremely high for not a lot of space. For working artists, I can see this being a great relief. However, after reading further it definitely clarified things. Great read and good arguments.
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Elizabeth Almazan
5/10/2021 12:03:52 am
This was such a cool article definitely inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
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