by Ward Shelley

The following is a reaction to the preceding entries of 'eye on brooklyn'.  It is suggested to read the entries "The Guy on the Bike..." and "Eulogy" first.

     I have been away from Wburg for more than a year now.  I've begun to feel like NY doesn't love me anymore.  Narcissistic of me.  I suppose it is really that too many other people have romantic feelings about life in NY and want to be there. And then the history-making rise of the semi-rich, lots of people playing with money and real estate at the end of civilization.  The down-slope of this bubble, may it come soon, will be more aesthetically pleasing. Economic growth is crass and manic, no contemplation, no sublimity.  NY was always more lovable when she was a bit down-at-the heels.  This is of course the view of the curmudgeon.  And the definition of a curmudgeon is somebody who didn't buy his place.

     A lot of those curmudgeons said the Elsewhere weekend was the obvious marker between gonna-be and has-been; things pass from the one to the other in a blink: there is no is, it seems.
 
     For those of us who had it easy, being johnny-come-earlies, the has-been part of Williamsburg is about RENT.

     With Manhattan level rents, Williamsburg has lost most of the benefits it once had to offer: 1. an affordable place with enough room and little enough supervision so you could go wild.  And 2. there were dozens more just like you: instant community, but smallish, it made you feel kinda special.  And 3. close enough to Soho that you might get a gallerist to come over for a studio visit.

     Williamsburg at the present moment only offers one benefit: better shopping.  (But that will keep a lot of Americans happy for quite a while.)   1. You can't afford the space even if you can find it, 2. the "community" is too large, alienating, rudderless.  But 3. - no problem.  Just tell 'em to meet you at La Fonda for cocktails. They will come IF you have something they think they can sell, 'cause that's what its all about for everybody now.

     I guess it works, except in the mind of the curmudgeon, who would actually rather complain.  But I must say this:  Williamsburg was at its coolest when it had little to loose and nothing to gain.  We were the artist beneficiaries of dry economic times. That's really freeing.  When the money showed up, people got careful and the work.... more conservative.  That was actually good for some kinds of work, but the magic, community building kind, no.  For the brand-building kind, well, yeah.  This is probably what miffed William Powhida.

     Yet I do not think the Wburg gallery scene will remain viable and self supporting financially.  I think the money and sales will trickle away, but the artists may hang on for their generation (there are even artists still living in Greenwich Village). And galleries may sustain themselves on dreams and self-sacrifice, because it is such a romantic dream to have a gallery.  Pierogi will remain in place until it dies with its boots on, hopefully a long time in the future. Joe's not only a dreamer, but way stubborn. You too, Larry.  Long may you wave.  Thanks for all the boosts, too.

     Someday someone may find a way to combine a credible art gallery with a bar of coolness, and Williamsburg could be saved for another dozen years.

For more information about Ward Shelley go to www.wardshelley.com