Here's a sneak peek.
Julius Klein's XOXO was at 19 Second Avenue, across from Mars Bar, from 1990 - 1997.
It was demolished to make room for the massive, sprawling, hollow-eyed Avalon luxury apartment complex. In its space today is Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, complete with a view of another luxury apartment complex and a TD Bank where Mars Bar used to be.
Gas Station / Space 2B stood on 2nd Street and Avenue B from 1986 - 1995, when it was evicted (thanks to a 900% rent increase) and demolished. Wrote the Times at the time:
"For 10 years, the Gas Station, with its towering sculpture built from discards ranging from a 1970 Plymouth Valiant to department store mannequins to television sets, has been a symbol of the Lower East Side's Bohemian ways and artistic resolve."
It was a gorgeous, haunting sight, a space filled with creativity and chaos. Now it's a Duane Reade.
See these and many more at the Vanishing Spaces show--this is the final week. To get in the mood, watch Rik Little's documentary of No Se No and Rivington School. And to think the neighborhood used to be a stimulating and alive place to be.
5 comments:
The first thing I noticed when I enlarged the top picture was Rockets Redglare, actor, raconteur and doorman at the legendary Red Bar.
(Second column, 3rd full image from the right)
2nd Avenue, not Avenue B.
I knew Rockets well. He did a couple of shows at my place in the early 90ies. One show he was 2 hrs. late explaining that he had just been released by the cops owing to either he pulling a knife on some famous drunk or the opposite?? Can't remember the details, but it was corroborated in the next few days buy more then one source.
I do remember a tame bit from his "comedy act":
If Noho is north of Houston and Soho is south or Houston, what's the raised curb area in the middle of Houston??? MIHO!! ta dum!! Probably appropriated, but WTF.
a big duane reade thats life in the big city. cant wait to visit NY. they have everything i need. juslike back home.
gg allin had his last show at the gas station in 1993
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