Living with Legends: Hotel Chelsea Blog

Chelsea Hotel Resident Threatens Chetrit with Lawsuit Over Missing Artwork

In an article in the New York Daily News Chelsea Hotel resident Collen Weinstein discusses her unsuccessful efforts to have her husband's artwork, which was removed from the walls of the Chelsea Hotel, returned.  Her lawyer says: " In November, ... the artwork was put on a truck and that his client saw one of the works loaded and "not properly wrapped."  He says Sirkin (Chelsea Hotel Manager Lilly Sirkin) refused to reveal where the art is and that the hotel won't let Weinstein remove a mobile of her husband's that hangs on the 10th floor."

We called the cops that day in November when we saw that Colleen's paintings and other art works from the Hotel were being thrown into the back of a Budget Rental Van. Sargent Fields refused to take a report, saying it was civil matter (since when is it a civil matter when someone steals your property off of your wall and refuses to give it back).  We too (as well an many other residents) were told that if we got a signed letter from Stanley Bard stating that the Hotel did not own the item that was removed from the wall that it would be returned.  Although we provided the proof demanded the work was still not returned, and so far, we've gotten nothing but a run around from Lily Sirkin and Michael Butler. Many other tenants have received the same treatment.  Here's a pic of the license plate number of the Budget Rental Van that hauled the art away in November.  

Patti Smith cancels chelsea hotel performance for tenants

Thanks Patti for listening to the tenants and supporters of the Chelsea Hotel. Her statement is on her blog www.pattismith.net Kudos to all of the people who made this happen. This really does show that the people have the power. The biggest thanks go to Jeremiah Moss of Jeremiah's Vanishing New York who came up with the idea of the "die in" and organized it. Thanks to everbody else who had other protests planned. Lets just hope we don't have to fight Bob Dylan next week. Here is Patti's message in its entirety: In respect for the wishes of the Chelsea Hotel Tenants Association I have canceled tonight's performance. My motivation was solely to serve the tenants. If this serves them better, than I am satisfied.

Patti Smith Plays Guitar While the Chelsea Hotel Dies: "Die In" at Chelsea Hotel 8PM Tonite

We stole our headline from Jeremiah's Vanishing New York.  Jeremiah's brillant idea is to call for a "Die in" at the Chelsea Hotel tonight at 8 pm to coincide with Patti Smith's proposed concert in the Chelsea Hotel ballroom (Richard Bernstein's former apt.).  Patti played last night for the developers and their friends.  And tonight she is going to try to get the tenants on board with the developers program whatever it is. While the concert is going on with probably very few if any residents in attendance protesters will meet outside the Chelsea Hotel, raise lit lighters, and recite the lycris of Patti's song "People Have the Power".  Bring umbrellas in case of rain.  There may be other protests going on as well.  Stay tuned. 
Details about the Flash Mob "Die in" are here and here.
UPDATE:  "DIE IN" logo has been provided by one of the Hotel's artists-in-residence.

Global Media calls on Patti Smith to Cancel Controversial Chelsea Hotel Concert

Nobody seems to be buying Patti Smith's explanation of her involvement with the Chetrit's, and in truth, it does seem kind of evasive, like a non-answer cooked up by PR flacks. She doesn't really seem to address any of the issues we raised in any substantive manner. (She has no understanding of Landmarking issues, while on the other hand she seems ready to make a bogus legal judgment on who the rightful tenants are.) Besides, if she is not getting paid, that just raises the issue of what exactly she is getting out of it. Sorry Patti, but we don't quite buy the line that you are doing it out of the goodness of your own heart. And if she just wants to provide a nice evening for tenants, why did she have a separate event last night for friends and family of the developer? Yes, that's right, she entertained in the Chelsea Hotel ballroom last night at a totally separate event! (See Photo)

Historian Sherill Tippins has some interesting insight into the issue (exceprts from Sherill's Facebook comments around the concert): "Ed Scheetz, one of the co-owners of the hotel, fell in love with "Just Kids" and contacted her.  I think she's telling the truth when she says she wasn't compensated. She doesn't need the money. And when they pitched me, they didn't offer anything and I didn't ask for anything. It was supposedly all about love for the Chelsea. (I swear, I figured out the scam pretty quickly!) With careful guidance from my Chelsea Hotel friends. I think her motive was good, as mine was: The Chelsea was sold, that was a fact. Tragically, the Bards no longer controlled it. But now there was this guy, one among the owners, who had caught a whiff of the magic of the place and wanted to preserve it. The problem is, he's not in charge. When I realized that they couldn't even SEE the current residents in the landscape of their plans, I knew that they didn't get it and that they would create havoc, fail, and eventually leave."

There has been worldwide interest in this issue, and we'd like to thank all of the bloggers and journalists who have written about Patti Smith and the Chelsea Hotel situation for their support. Oddly enough, none of them seem to be buying Patti's belated explanation for what appears to be a self-serving action. Here is a list of links to some of the coverage:

http://culture.wnyc.org/articles/features/2012/jan/13/patti-smith-cancels-concert-after-chelsea-hotel-residents-protest/

http://gothamist.com/2012/01/13/patti_smith_cancels_private_hotel_c.php

http://animalnewyork.com/2012/01/patti-smith-cancels-chelsea-hotel-performance/

Personal vote for best headline - http://www.observer.com/2012/01/because-the-night-belongs-to-chetrit/

http://www.kennethinthe212.com/2012/01/flash-mob-at-chelsea-hotel-tonight-to.html

http://jameswagner.com/2012/01/the_chelsea_hotel_no.html

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2012/01/a_flash_mob_chelsea_hotel_patti_smith.php

http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2012/01/patti-at-chelsea.html

http://www.dnainfo.com/20120111/chelsea-hells-kitchen/patti-smith-responds-criticism-over-chelsea-hotel-concert

http://evgrieve.com/2012/01/call-for-patti-smith-to-cancel-her.html

http://flavorwire.com/248119/is-patti-smith-supporting-hotel-chelseas-awful-new-management

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/01/why-is-patti-smith-playing-at-the-chelsea-hotel.html

http://gothamist.com/2012/01/10/patti_smith_to_play_private_hotel_c.php

http://gothamist.com/2012/01/11/patti_smith_speaks_out_about_curren.php

http://animalnewyork.com/2012/01/why-is-patti-smith-selling-out-hotel-chelsea/

http://www.cooperativa.cl/recital-de-patti-smith-desato-polemica-en-hotel-de-nueva-york/prontus_nots/2012-01-10/162102.html

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/65688653.html

http://www.nme.com/news/patti-smith/61369

http://www.contactmusic.com/news/patti-smith-addresses-chelsea-hotel-controversy-in-statement_1282750

http://wcbsfm.radio.com/2012/01/12/patti-smith-to-play-private-show-at-hotel-chelsea-despite-objection-from-residents/

http://www.411mania.com/music/news/218939/Patti-Smith-Criticized-For-Upcoming-Hotel-Chelsea-Show.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/nyregion/doubts-over-patti-smith-concert-plan-for-chelsea-hotel-tenants.html

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/10/mcdonalds-fries-preserve-_n_1197517.html

 

http://chelseanow.com/articles/2012/01/11/news/doc4f0d246b31785733066994.txt

 

http://www.dnainfo.com/20120111/chelsea-hells-kitchen/patti-smiths-concert-at-chelsea-hotel-irks-residents

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/patti-smith-show-hotel-chelsea-tune-residents-facing-eviction-article-1.1004188

 

 

http://www.chelseahotelblog.com/living_with_legends_the_h/2012/01/patti-smith-responds-.html

 

http://www.dailynewsme.com/2012/01/patti-smith-says-she-wants-to-help-hotel-chelsea-and-residents.html

 

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/01/patti-smith-says-shes-not-working-for-the-man.html

 

http://eastvillage.thelocal.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/at-hotel-chelsea-signs-of-village-denizens-vanish-while-patti-smith-returns/?pagemode=print

http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/view/44326/Smith-scraps-Chelsea-Hotel-show-after-backlash/ 

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00046894.html 

http://savvystews.com/?p=1954

International:

 

http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/musica/patti-smith-chelsea-hotel-concerto-nova-iorque-hotel-chelsea/1316280-4060.html

http://gaffa.dk/nyhed/56291

http://www.thrillermagazine.es/2012/11118/noticias/musica-2/patti-smith-concierto-privado-solo-para-huespedes/

http://www.emol.com/noticias/magazine/2012/01/10/520989/patti-smith-ofrecera-concierto-privado-a-huespedes-permanentes-del-hotel-chelsea.html

Chelsea Hotel Blog Response to Patti Smith

Thanks Patti, for responding.  If you are worried about the building being leveled, you can put your mind at rest – it’s landmarked and can’t be torn down.  As for management efforts to save and restore the building there aren’t any.  Instead they are gutting the rooms.   We are worried about who the rightful tenants are going to turn out to be – obviously not the more than 30 who are being evicted and as for the artist-in- residence program, there are already plenty of those here. 

We are glad that you aren’t taking compensation but you should not let the Chetrits use you for propaganda purposes.

If you want to give a concert for us great,  but chose a neutral venue, one where Chetrit will not be sponsoring you. 

We still think you should cancel your event in the ballroom.

Patti Smith Responds via a Publicist with an Official Statement about the Chelsea Hotel

Her response, which still leaves a lot of questions, is published in full below.  Since when can a landmark building be leveled?  Patti, have you actually looked at the "renovations"?  The historic rooms have been gutted.  And, in case you haven't noticed, there are already a lot of artists in residence here and a lot of them are facing eviction proceedings. 

HOTEL CHELSEA

My current involvement with the Hotel Chelsea began some
... months ago when I heard rumors that the hotel would be
leveled. I was devastated and entered in a dialogue with the
architect, through a mutual friend.

He assured me this was not the case and every effort would
be made to save and restore the building, which was greatly
deteriorating. Having witnessed the demolition and
redevelopment of much of our city I was at least hopeful
that the hotel would stand.

Since then my few efforts on behalf of the Hotel have been
unofficial and uncompensated.

My dialogue has continued with the architect. My personal
objectives have always been:

— To offer uncompensated advice as to the aesthetics
of the renovation project.

— To council all concerned to develop positive
communication to the rightful tenants.

— To be available in the future, without fee, in
participating in the development and preservation of the
artistic cachet of the hotel.

— To participate in the development of a possible
artists-in-residence program.

My small performance for the tenants was my own idea. My
hope is that we might have a nice evening and the
opportunity to communicate directly.

I am an independent person, not owned or directed by anyone.
My allegiance is to the Hotel itself, and I have done
nothing to tarnish it. It is very difficult for me to
embrace change, but my great hope is to witness the Hotel
Chelsea find a strong and positive place in the twenty-first
century.

Patti Smith Sings for Chelsea Hotel Developer Joseph Chetrit

The Bard family has been good to Patti Smith, helping her out at two difficult times in her life.  The first time, in the late sixties when she was a struggling, unknown poet, Stanley Bard gave her and her friend Robert Mappelthorpe a place to stay so they could get out of the drug and vermin infested Allerton Hotel.    The second time, in the late nineties, after the tragic death of her husband, Stanley came through with an apartment yet again.
       It is with great sadness, therefore, that we reprint the following invitation, which showed up in our Chelsea Hotel mailbox just yesterday.       

            Patti must not know that the person sponsoring her upcoming event, Joseph Chetrit, is the same developer who took Stanley Bard’s beloved Chelsea Hotel away from him and his family.  And surely she is unaware that this is the same Joseph Chetrit whose demolition crews recently gutted over a hundred historic Chelsea Hotel rooms.  Finally, if she hasn’t been in some way deceived, we know there’s no way in hell Patti would give a concert in support of a man, Joseph Chetrit, who is presently trying to evict almost thirty Chelsea Hotel residents using both housing and Supreme court.

            We love Patti and her music, and we would love to see her concert, just not under these circumstances.  And so we call on Patti, now that she knows the truth, to cancel this event.