A photographic investigation with around 50 New York artists still benefiting from the "loft" law, intended to protect financially troubled artists living illegally in the city's commercial and industrial lofts from eviction.
Joshua Charow spent the past two years creating his first photography book about artists living under the protection of the Loft Law. The law, enacted in 1982 (Article 7-C of the Multiple Dwelling Law), granted protection and rent stabilization to thousands of artists who were living illegally in commercial and manufacturing zoned lofts in neighborhoods like Soho, Tribeca, and the Bowery after the manufacturing industry predominantly left Manhattan. Two years ago, he found a map of the remaining protected buildings, rang hundreds of doorbells, and photographed and interviewed over 50 artists who are still living in these incredible lofts to this day. As New York currently faces an unprecedented amount of vacant commercial space, this is the perfect timing for this incredible untold story.
Featured artists: Ken Jacobs, Flo Jacobs, Loretta Dunkelman, Katherine Liberovskaya,
Phill Niblock, Gerald Marks, Martine Mallary, Michael Sullivan, Carmen Cicero, Joseph Marioni, Carolyn Oberst, Jeff Way, Chuck DeLaney, Joe Haske, Kimiko Fujimura, Steve Silver, Noah Jemison, Sumayyah Samaha, Bob Petrucci, Claire Fergusson, Gilda Pervin, Curtis Mitchell, Ellen Christine, Marsha Pels, Betsy Kaufman, Jennifer Charles, JG Thirlwell, Alex Locadia, Winkel, Frank Mason.
Joshua Charow is a documentary photographer and filmmaker based in New York City. As a teenager, Charow would go to New York City to ascend skyscrapers, climb to the tops of bridges, and walk the subway tunnels to photograph beautiful, hidden locations. These early experiences inform the subject matter and style of cinematography that he brings to his documentary work. His projects aim to unveil unseen stories and subcultures across New York City. Charow has directed and shot documentary films for The New York Times, TIME Magazine, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.
