Both two-story New York City arts organizations started in the early 1970s and will soon share a roof. kitchen temporarily relocated to Westbeth Artist HousingThe kitchen announced the move on Thursday.
Founded in 1971 as an artist collective, The Kitchen is one of the city’s oldest non-profit art centers dedicated to avant-garde, interdisciplinary work. The company’s headquarters in Chelsea will undergo a two-year renovation (designed by Rice+Lipka Architects), requiring a short-term move from late September.
Westbeth was founded in 1970 when the West Village building formerly used by Bell Laboratories was converted into affordable housing and studios for artists and their families. The landmark building also houses the New School for Drama, the Martha Graham Dance Company and lots of history. Used by the Graham Company more than a decade before him, the loft space was long home to the Mercury Cunningham Dance Company. The kitchen occupies the West Side Loft, 6,000 feet of loft space on the fourth floor.
Russell noted the similarities between the photos of the West Side Loft and the Soho Loft, one of the kitchen’s first locations. (The first home was at the Mercer Arts Center, then moved to Worcester Street, and then to a multi-floor facility on 19th Street.) Older generations may recall the kitchen’s origins. Young artists and audiences will get their first taste of the loft phase of the kitchen.
The temporary home will help determine future programming for the soon-to-be-announced kitchen. “When they see it, I think they know exactly what to do with it. It’s a place where you can, experiment, and get together.
In a way, Russell said Westbeth’s loft is “a version of the space that the kitchen has grown beyond.” It’s also a chance to champion those who have brought us to this point and bring in new voices and perspectives,” she said.
It’s also an opportunity to think about what an ‘alternative space’ is, she said. “It’s an era where there are fewer and fewer places,” like Westbeth and the Kitchen. “We are deeply committed to the idea that not everything can be a megamuseum or a megagallery. There should be an intimate dialogue and exchange that exists in the space in between.”
“Once the renovation is complete, it will return to its expanded footprint,” said Russell. But for now, Kitchen will say goodbye to Chelsea’s home on September 18 with a dance party.