Richard Kriheli

Open Letter to Adrian Benepe, NYC Parks Commissioner;

So, let me get this straight — you want to boot me out of the park and replace me with Wendy’s? Look man, I dig the spicy chicken sandwiches too, but this is all processed nonsense, biggie-sized. Stepping on rights and people’s faces will not win you any brownie points. Not cool. While I can’t speak for other venues, I feel deeply invested in what goes on specifically at Union Square Park. My wife and I have both displayed and sold work there and we’ve met, collaborated and befriended a diverse community of artists in the area with similar interests and motives. We have worked with honorable practices and adhered to all laws and guidelines while doing so. Recently, thanks to Robert Lederman and a bunch of concerned artists, I got wind of the changes proposed by a team led by Alessandro G. Olivieri and yourself (with the unmistakable backing of Mayor Bloomberg). A proposal that is squared up for review in close to two weeks.

Let me recap the stark particulars proposed: the new bill limits 12-18 vendors for Union Square – total (which is about 15% of us). These regulations are to create a less dense pocket of people in city parks. The argument is that vendors take up too much space and cause congestion and disruption.

In rebuttal, let us examine some of the points you guys are grossly overlooking. Besides violating the integrity of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the proposal:

murders the cultural relevancy of Union Square.
For as long as I can remember, Union Square Park has been a cultural hub for art and activism. It is one of the last remaining spots in the the city where folks can congregate and experience the nerve center of creativity and voice. Around it, Manhattan is quickly transforming into an urban corporate wasteland and the more restrictions you toss at this very tiny community of artists, the more unappealing the borough becomes. Culture is shot as we know it, and the evidence is all around us. It started over a decade ago when the mass exodus of art went over the bridge to Brooklyn. Folks like you who masquerade as art patrons are the root cause of this defection.

confuses tourists.
New York City is undoubtedly the tourist capital of the world. That being said, there are countless volumes of guides in print from very prominent publishers that point folks over to Union Square for things other than the Greenmarket. Transforming Union Square into the megalith formerly known as Times Square will not only wreck culture, but will also hurt the integrity of these publications and force them into re-writes. In case you were wondering, yes – I will cc: said publications. I’ve had many conversations with travelers from abroad who specifically sought out Union Square as one of their must-see’s. And not because of sponsored pillow fights (um, feel free to check the link for the photos of the congestion that debacle caused.)

creates more congestion, not less.
Let’s simplify and expose what is neatly and methodically tucked in your legal inaccessible discourse. The proposal insists that one of the goals is to alleviate congestion in the park. At the same time, the city would be willing to “reserve” the space for organized corporate entities, fast food (?!?!?) and art installations (see: aforementioned pillow fight.) Last I checked we were all confined to 8′ restrictions each (with most folks not even coming close to max limits). Good luck selling 8′ to Disney only. And if you honestly think that McDonald’s will take up less space than Kudu-Lah, you are living a far-fetched fantasy. Do you want absolute proof that artists don’t cause congestion? Walk through the park on a Sunday (when the Greenmarket and most corporate sponsors are off) and it will be painfully obvious where the congestion is really coming from. When these monstrosities do indeed get erected, lets circle back to your points about congestion. Bottom line is that the primary motive of the proposal is to enhance the Park Department’s concession revenue. In short, it’s all about cash. Cash, in your pockets.

In all, this whole thing reeks of selfishness and greed. If this law does indeed pass, I will just fold my table and be on my way. See, I don’t have the energy to fight greed with protests and legal proceedings. It’s the nature of the artist to fight with art and word of mouth. And I promise that you guys will have a barrage of condemnation that will cloud your reputation for the rest of your professional lives. Need I remind you that we are collectively armed with the leverage and power of social media? Despite dollar menu coins expanding your pockets, the accumulation of your karmic debt will be profound and ultimately, sad.

That said, are you still prepared to square off?

Always,

Rich (in ways you will never be)
First Amendment Artist

cc: Mayor Michael Bloomberg
cc: Fodors
cc: Lonely Planet
cc: Frommers

The welcome mat to New York’s proverbial ‘melting pot’ has long been weathered and worn. In the past couple of decades, those from the outskirts of this country seem to have migrated here in droves. Despite the stereotypes New Yorkers have long been branded with – the outsiders were always greeted with open arms. Though, there is a common aphorism amongst native New Yorkers – more typically in the outer boroughs that goes something like:

“wipe your feet before you step in my house”

With the said influx of transplants, I am starting to feel as if the mat is being hopped over en route to our place. The landscape of New York is transfigured with folks from other cities rapidly becoming a significant portion of our population. It’s those same people that say “I’m from Brooklyn,” and you can instantly whiff the new blood.

So these newbies stand before the mat, and glaze it over, walk right in, chest brazen with that ever-so-bleached smile. The immigrants who came before them are jolted. The same people who paved the way, and made this city what it is today. Or, rather, what it was.

What it was? Here are just a few checklist highlights: The gentrificaton of Harlem and now Brooklyn. The transformation of Times Square into Disneyland. The entire island of Manhattan gradually resembling a midwestern strip mall. People creating “you’re a new yorker when…” lists, whose stay here has been shorter than my current lease. Venti Skim Mochiattos with no foam. I could go on, but you get the picture.

This whole thing reeks of something equivalent a new neighbor helping themselves to your fridge and remote. Hey, I’m a friendly guy – even by NYC standards. Go ahead, use my fridge and remote, no problem – but please show some manners. This city is great, and everyone should have equal access to it. But this metamorphosis gives me the creeps.

Bottom line is, the welcome mat is there for a reason. It is muddied, though dry, from endless traffic to and from our home. And yes, it bears the word “welcome” but maybe this word needs to be redefined, or changed altogether – just like the face of this city. Those from outside should take a minute to be conscious of this mat, woven with coarse materials – designed to last. And last, it will.

The other day, I overheard someone on the train crowing (with a friend) about her impending lease signing in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood of Brooklyn. She was glowing, beaming! I couldn’t place her accent but my money would have been on Memphis, Little Rock or say . . . Williamsburg. Not Williamsburg, Virginia – but Williamsburg, New York! What was clear to me in that moment was a glaring truth simmering over the past decade or so, something I didn’t want to ever admit to or believe – New York has lost face.

The gentrification of some New York City neighborhoods over the years has been stunning and in some respect, heartbreaking. Williamsburg looks more like the East Village than the actual East Village now. All of the former ‘rough’ areas are now fashionable real estate targets. Never in my dreams would I have imagined that Brooklyn would become “the place to be” or the hot-spot it is today. “Bushwick? No sweat – we have this beautiful, sunny luxury condo . . .”

While I am all for the decrease in crime, and seeing parts of New York revitalized, the tradeoff appears to be a rapidly deteriorating identity. Nowhere is this more unmistakable than in Brooklyn. What happened? I mean seriously. Brooklyn used to have grit and character. It was easy to distinguish Brooklynites from Manhattanites. Those rough neighborhoods used to evoke fear and paranoia from non-residents. Unless you were raised there, no one really desired to be there. Now, everyone I meet (it seems) hails from there. It’s their ‘hood. No, not Biloxi, but Brownsville! Where did all these transplants come from? And how did the turf transform to such lengths? The whole thing stinks, partly because Brooklyn is now borderline unrecognizable. What’s next? An amusement park in the “Boogie-Down” Bronx? Oh wait, the Yankees are already there. I suspect once the NBA transitions the New Jersey Nets hoops franchise to Brooklyn, the circus will only get worse (you’re welcome, Jay Z).

The day has finally come where I can watch Do The Right Thing or listen to Mos Def and feel like I am experiencing artifacts of history. Now, every time someone mentions hailing from Brooklyn, I feel the hair on my arms stand and my stomach feel like I had too many dirty-water hot dogs. And its not out of intimidation, but rather despondency.