Reclaim the Chelsea Hotel!

Now that we’ve swept BD Hotels into the dustbin of Chelsea history, let their onerous regulations also be exorcised once and for all from our fair building!  Remember when they first arrived, and, scowling, stood in our way and physically barred us from retrieving our mail from behind the front desk?  That area behind the desk is a common area that was stolen from us by BD.  And now that they are no more, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t reclaim it.  If you have mail in your box, go back there and get it yourself.  And strike a blow for freedom!
           Also, the desk staff should bring back their TV and their radio: what’s the harm in them listening to a little bit of music or catching the action on the Yankees game?  Especially if it’s quiet in the hotel and there’s nothing going on?

Fellow residents: cast off your shackles!  Move your furniture back into the hallways, and let your pets and your children once again run free in the halls!  (I myself will be rooting through the rubbish to find interesting items to replace my Garbage Art installations confiscated by the evil philistine Glennon Travis.)  Let us celebrate anew the spirit of freedom and non-conformity that has reigned for 125 years at the Chelsea Hotel. -- Ed Hamilton  (UPDATE: Thanks to Artie Nash for sending over the photo of the rules.)

Comments

[Unshackle the Children]

This means the kids are free again.

That Enployees Only etc. sign is sad too. What a dull, institutional place these heirs have tried to turn the hotel into.

[Miss H]

I've been telling people there is currently one Great Writer in the hotel, and several well on their way to Greatness. The cover of the New York Times Book review today highlights the former, and his book, Netherland, in which the Chelsea Hotel is featured. The book got two reviews in the NYT. One quibble -- a reviewer criticism of a character who walks around in angel wings, as only there to carry metaphoric freight. Anyone who knows the Chelsea knows the angel is not metaphoric in any way, but a real person in the hotel's history. Truth is stranger than fiction after all.

curious if mail retrieval has reverted back? anybody grabbing their own mail? if so lets have a testimonial

[resident]

There are numerous fully-fledged great writers in the hotel.

[Miss H]

At the moment I know of one who is great with a capital G, and several who are close to earning the G.

[P S]

Yes, there are many writers on the verge of Greatness in the hotel.

The New Yorker this week says among other thing that O'Neill is the writer New York City has been waiting for. Their review is a fucking love letter.

[wage slave]

There are a lot of people in the various arts on the verge of greatness within the hotel. Stanley gambled on a lot of unproven talent, and was occasionally wrong, but right more than anyone else in cultural history. Who have Marlene and David discovered or nurtured? They are the sorts of people who would be dazzled by people already famous. Stanley could perceive the spark early on. When the new management claimed there were no greats left in the hotel we all knew they were wrong. There were many,and, just wait, many more to come, all there because of Stanley. Didn't Sally and Joe buy a place and move out of the city to Brooklyn, as most people with kids do? Then they moved back becasue they all missed the hotel so much. They've done us all proud.

Whatever you say about Stanley, you have to acknowledge that he created an atmosphere that supported, encouraged, sparked, nurtured creativity. He should have been given a medal, not kicked to the curb by THOSE TWO EVILDOERS. Hey, has anyone seen Abel's documentary?

[Yadda Yadda Yaddo]

Miss H the point is that your're not the sole arbiter of great writing/writers at the Hotel and others may have their own opinon of how many 'Great' writers live in the Hotel.

Most 'Great' writers are dead dead dead by the time they're recognized but apparently we're on the fast-trak to greatness here at the Chelsea - no time to lose.

[Miss H]

Of course I am not the sole arbiter! Everything I say on this subject is of course an opinion, as is everything you say. My opinion is that there is one plaque-on-the-facade great writer now, and many more who are very close to my subjective measure of greatness, whether recognized by the outside world or not. I am a writer as well, an interesting wrter and often-copied but not what I would define as great, not by a long shot. I agree many writers are not recognized until after they are dead, but a lot of Chelsea Hotel writers were great and recognized as such while alive, and while in the Chelsea Hotel. Arthur Miller? Dylan Thomas? Etcetera. I agree with wage slave, Stanley gambled on a lot of unproven talent and even after his departure we are seeing the fruits of that. Chill.

[Reality Check]

"Plaque on the Facade" greatness and one self-proclaimed "interesting and often copied"??? Seriously, some-one is in need a reality check. Or an attorney to sue sue sue those other writers for plagiarism.

Fact is, Arthur Miller was a literary giant before he moved into the Hotel and Dylan Thomas was an internationally sought-after poet (albeit drunk and broke) when he was brought to the Hotel as a guest. These are great writers but poor examples of Chelsea Success Stories.

By "Chill" aren't you saying "don't disagree with me"? Thats great writing.

"Greatness" comes in its own pace, often not where its most deserved, and not because "its their time" or because they live in the Hotel. Sorry!

neither miller nor dylan had plaques on the facade while they were living here...

This post was orig about Revolution and Mail Retreival.

Anybody getting their own mail?

[Miss H]

By "Chill," I meant just that it's a difference of opinion and not worth getting upset about. I agree greatness comes at its own pace and often not where it's most deserved, and not because "it's their time" or because they live in the hotel. Did I say differently? Seriously, this someone has had reality checks in all sorts of different realities. Sorry if I hit a sensitive spot for you. I'm sure you're a great writer too.

[Miss H]

Nor did I mean to imply that Dylan Thomas or anyone had plaques when they lived in the hotel. Have these goons got everyone's touchiness up or what? I posted only to point out some nice reviews for a Hotel Chelsea writer who is one of the many, many people who defy the minority shareholders' characterization of the hotel.

Count me among the people who wonder if anyone is going behind the desk to pick up their mail.

Bring Back the Bards.

Sorry, Miss H, not even a writer. Just a healthy intolerance for big headedness. Wasn't fishing for your compliment, dear, or a plaque on the facade

[just me]

Yeah, nameless, 'cuz dat's what dis blog and hotel need, more police!

[Miss H]

Not so big-headed, nor the sole arbiter of any particular reality, just old and by now well aware of my delusions, strengths and weaknesses (the latter increase exponentially each year), which gives me a greater appreciation of writers who are great. Not nearly as big-headed as two heirs who, knowing so little of the hotel, thought they could run it better than Stanley. Am not sure how healthy intolerance is.

[just me]

hows this for a name?

[818 505 8174]

WHAT THIS HOTEL NEEDS IS MORE REVOLUTIONARIES

AND IF THE POLICE SHOULD COME AS A RESULT OF THAT THEN SO BE IT. LET 'EM COME. "CUZ" THE HOTEL CHELSEA CAN HANDLE IT EVEN IF YOU PERSONALLY CAIN'T

[just me]

Well, it's not very original.