Creative Ozone - by Miriam Chaiken (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A captivating portrait of Westbeth, the legendary artists' residence that shaped contemporary art, activism, and New York's cultural landscape for over fifty years

In 1970, the former Bell Telephone Laboratories in Manhattan was transformed into Westbeth, an ambitious experiment in urban renewal that became the world's largest and longest-running artists' residence. Home to generations of visual artists, musicians, writers, dancers, and performers, Westbeth has fostered creativity, community, and activism for over fifty years.

From legendary photographer Diane Arbus and conceptual artist Hans Haacke to avant-garde theater pioneers like Joe Chaikin and Gloria Miguel, Westbeth has nurtured some of the most influential voices in contemporary art. Beyond its creative legacy, the residence has been a hub for social change. Its artists played leading roles in the anti-Vietnam protests, LGBTQ+ rights movements, feminist art collectives, and urban preservation efforts.

In Creative Ozone, Miriam Chaiken offers a rare insider's look at this extraordinary community. Drawing on intimate interviews with multiple generations of Westbeth residents, including those who grew up in the building as "feral children" immersed in art from birth, Chaiken captures the spirit of a place where creativity and activism are inseparable. She explores how Westbeth artists have weathered gentrification, economic upheavals, and major historical events, from 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy to the ongoing pandemic, revealing the resilience of this one-square-block artistic village. Blending vivid storytelling with cultural history, Creative Ozone is a tribute to the artists who shaped, and were shaped by, New York City.

Rich with character-driven narratives, this book will captivate art lovers, history buffs, and anyone fascinated by the creative life. Whether you're drawn to the bohemian legends of Greenwich Village, the evolution of urban spaces, or the intersection of art and activism, Creative Ozone offers an unforgettable portrait of a community like no other.

Review Quotes

Miriam Chaiken has documented a remarkable American social experiment, giving life to the artists of Westbeth. The book is striking, blending the anthropological tradition of thick description with sensitivity to the social significance of artists. She has combined personal connection, oral histories, and rigorous research to create a powerful story about a place and its people.---Jan English-Lueck, San Jose State University

About the Author

After field research on four continents, Miriam Chaiken turned her anthropological gaze to the most exotic site yet - Greenwich Village in New York City. Her examination of the Westbeth Artists Housing led her to soon conclude that this community is a vertical village, with all of the drama and intrigue. Miriam's earlier writing draws on her anthropological research in Africa and Asia, focusing on poverty and hunger alleviation, gender equity, and the welfare of children. She has published many articles and co-edited two books on international development and community resilience.