‘A kind of horror movie’: Artists denied access to fire and mold-ravaged Red Hook studios
It’s been well over a month since a
But tenants are now not only unsure of the building’s future but also of its present: Access since the fire has been extremely limited, and some haven't been allowed back in even once, leaving them unsure what – if any – of their in some case’s life’s work is recoverable.
If fire damage were the only concern, access might feel less urgent, but firefighters used “the equivalent of 10 continuous years of rainfall” to put out the blaze, said 12-year building tenant
Although Neely's studio wasn't damaged by the flames, he said it still looked like it was a set in "a kind of horror movie" when he was first allowed to visit it two weeks after the fire.
“That’s really the only analogy I have for the sorts of mold growth and decay setting in and taking hold so comprehensively, extensively and revoltingly,” he said.
Neely was unsure how toxic the damaged art he removed was and rented a space to store it in Sunset Park. Some of those items are “now blooming” with mold, he said.
