The muse of the show, Patrick McDonald, and I at the opening on Tuesday night
Dear Shaded Viewers,
On Tuesday night I attended the opening of “The Dandy’s New York”–a show of photos by photographer Molua Muldown and multi-media artist Lisa Pan at Dorian Grey Gallery in the East Village. The muse for the works? The one and only Patrick McDonald. The photos of Patrick in various downtown locations were shot over the past ten years. The opening party was a veritable Old Home Week of downtown denizens and East Village diehards (I, for one, will never leave this neighborhood no matter how much it changes–I believe in going down with the ship!)
Patrick provided the perfect commentary for my attitude about the East Village and New York in general. Many of the works in the show were accompanied by never-before-seen poems penned by Patick. My favorite was his response to Patti Smith’s recent advice to artists, when she was promoting “Just Kids.” (Basically her attitude is, Don’t come to New York, or abandon ship if you’re already here). Here are Patrick’s words:
Patti says it’s all over now
She’s usually right about these things
She says it’s time to flee
She’s usually right about these things
But some of us will need to stay
to keep the light on in the window
A small beacon for the ghosts and echoes
Just so they know we’re staying true to their path
Just so they know we’re still listening
for Quentin’s whispers
and Klaus’ songs
We love you
We miss you
We need you
Please come home
Well said, Patrick…..
Photographer Molua Muldown & muse
Lauren Ezersky
Italo Portesani & famed illustrator Bil Donovan
Patrick and my date for the evening, Joselle Yokogawa
And some works from the show…
Jim Powers’ mosaic work has been an iconic presence in the East Village for decades.
Haute leather daddy at the Chelsea Hotel
Patrick in Tompkins Square Park. The pine tree is the official Christmas tree of the East Village. (In fact, the lights are still on and lit up now–I was through there last night during the small snow shower and it felt like Christmas all over again.)
Thanks for reading.
Love,
