And crap is art in New York, look at Spiderman the Musical!
Will Pavia, in New York From: The Australian June 13, 2011 12:00AM
Many residents of SoHo are living in their homes illegally. Source: AP
FOR many years, the artists' lofts of SoHo have been occupied by people whose artistic output ceased shortly after they left primary school.
The vast living spaces in what was becoming one of Manhattan's most trendy neighbourhoods were still technically set aside for artists, but they were now selling for millions of dollars to Wall Street investors, media personalities and celebrities. These new residents did not qualify as fine artists, according to the strict requirements of the city's Department of Cultural Affairs.
Never mind, said their real estate agents; they simply had to sign a waiver, and the rule restricting occupation of their property to artists would never be enforced. Until recently, that is.
According to local residents and property brokers, the city changed course suddenly. Horror stories began to circulate of people who had tried to renovate their kitchen and had been denied permission because they lacked an "artist in residence" certificate.
In the ensuing panic, sales fell through, and some of the wealthiest and most respectable residents of Manhattan were shocked to discover that they were residing in their homes illegally. "I have lost four sales in the past two months," said Margaret Baisley, a real estate lawyer. "Buyers just don't want the risk."
About 300 anxious residents filled a neighbourhood church this month to debate what should be done.
"For 30 years, the buildings department ignored it," said Sean Sweeney, 65, a former music industry executive. "Then suddenly they were enforcing it to the 't'. They went from zero to 100 per cent."
Mr Sweeney, head of the SoHo Alliance, a neighbourhood group, said his concern was that if the law was changed, it would become easier for landlords to evict those artists that remained and redevelop the properties. "Then suddenly they can start charging $US10,000 a month," he said.
Mr Sweeney thought an amnesty might prove the best solution for existing non-artist residents. "Sort of like what they did with the Mexicans 10 years ago," he said. "Except, instead of Mexicans crossing the Rio Grande, it's an amnesty for bankers."
He said musician Jon Bon Jovi, who has reportedly put his penthouse up for sale for $US30 million, was among those who wanted the law changed despite qualifying as a fine artist.
"He manufactures music," Mr Sweeney said. "But then you have people like Meg Ryan, we have Willem Dafoe, Courtney Love." He was not sure if they had qualified or not. "But if Philip Glass could live here 40 years ago, why not Courtney Love?" he asked.
Ms Baisley said she believed the city's buildings department became stricter after a number of lawsuits were brought against it.
In response, Jenny Gilbert, a spokeswoman for the department, said: "The city's zoning resolution requires tenants to have artist-in-residence certification in order to live in this light manufacturing district. The department will continue to enforce the zoning resolution as it is written."
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