Monday, February 13, 2012

Owner: Painting over art on Life Cafe's roll-down gates was 'sacrilegious'

On our post Friday about work permits at the Life Cafe, Goggla pointed out that workers had painted over the restaurant's roll-down gates at 10th Street and Avenue B...


Sure enough... a photo of the gates from a few years ago...


Apparently this development came as a surprise to Life Cafe owner Kathy Kirkpatrick, who left this comment on the post:

It is sad and tragic to see Scott Borofsky's graffiti art destroyed. Removing it from the gates of Life Cafe was sacrilegious. His art was an iconic and important element of the fabric of the outdoor art arena from the 1980s. I am touched by the ongoing sentiments of support and loss expressed here and elsewhere. I miss you and many of my staff still tell me they miss being with you all at the Cafe as well. I want you to know that I'm still fighting for Life but cannot say more at this time. However, when this is over I promise to share the full Life story of the last few years.
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8 comments:

  1. MelanieFebruary 13, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    I really liked Life's gate art. Now that corner looks boring and blank.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marty WombacherFebruary 13, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    It looked so much better with the graffiti, horrible that they painted over that art. I'm anxious to read Kathy's story.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Laura Goggin PhotographyFebruary 13, 2012 at 1:50 PM

    Grieve - I think you linked to a video several months ago that showed people who lived on Ave B & 11th Street. The video was mostly snapshots of people smiling, but I remember the Life gate was also in that video, along with the graffiti art.

    ReplyDelete
  4. EV GrieveFebruary 13, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    @Goggla

    Ah, right! I need to find that... thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LIBERATIONFebruary 13, 2012 at 2:43 PM

    I'd love to see a piece by Rick Prol on the gates when they reopen. His work would be perfect.

    http://www.rickprol.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2012 at 7:55 PM

    Life was an institution, BUT the service was TERRIBLE! The last time I went, I sore I would never go back. they closed. the end.

    ReplyDelete
  7. NYC taxi photoFebruary 14, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    i hate to kick it while it's down, but the place looked great on the outside,
    however the coffee was overpriced and weak, the vibe seemed to be way too business first, they were chasing away beggars with a broom, and this was only a few years ago, when things were totally safe and me and my friend were the only patrons at the time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. LIBERATIONFebruary 14, 2012 at 1:30 PM

    I can't wait for Life to reopen!!! I'd go there once a week or so because they were open late, the food was consitantly good, and the atmosphere seemed to keep out the right kind of people - no NYU girls shrieking into cellphones. The service was hit or miss as it is in most restaurants.

    ReplyDelete

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