Linda Troeller: Living and Working in the Chelsea Hotel

The February issue of Double Exposure highlights the work and life of Chelsea Hotel resident and photographer Linda Troeller.  Spectacular photographs of glamorous residents past and present are featured. (Photo: www.lindatroller.com)

In 1998 I spent some months photographing some of the terrific apartments in the hotel. When I heard that the hotel was approached by a major chain to be sold, I decided to prepare a book dummy which is now in consideration with a publisher. I have also photographed some of the artists who have lived and are currently living here. I loved the stories Jean Claude, Christo, and Ralph Gibson told me, as well as artists like Sir David Remfy and Robert Lambert, who live here now. The book project includes these interviews as well, and I am evolving a digital installation with this work. The Chelsea Hotel is a landmark, and one of the few urban places still in operation that encourages creativity in a loosely knit artist community.  The mood seems to come from the walls and travels up the gothic staircase.  People who arrive with a fresh dream catch the drift and stay.