We'll talk in present tenses.

September 25, 2009 7:28 AM

(Asking for a friend) Is there a place on ye olde interwebbes where I can see a gallery of all the artwork currently on display at the Chelsea Hotel? ALTERNATELY can anyone help me identify this painting?

Blurry cellphone picture here. The Chelsea Hotel's website has exactly six pieces on display, none of which is the correct one. My friend would love to know who painted this and any other information available-- she's currently on a bus going to Boston, and typically she lives in Portland, and I'm not sure if she'll be back in NYC anytime soon so as to inquire at the hotel. TinEye is predictably unhelpful. Any ideas on how to go about identifying this thing?

posted by shakespeherian to media & arts (14 comments total)

Update: To add to the fun, my friend has just informed me that the blurry cellphone picture is only the right 80% of the canvas.
posted by shakespeherian at 7:31 AM on September 25

That link is not taking me to a photo site, it's taking me to a lot of spammy websites...sorry.

If you upload it again I can probably go check it out at the Chelsea hotel myself tomorrow.
posted by kathrineg at 8:05 AM on September 25

Sorry about that... trying to find an image host that isn't blocked at the office. Try this one?
posted by shakespeherian at 8:27 AM on September 25

That's working!

Where is the painting located? In a room? In a common area? Which one?

I have no tips...I have searched the hell out of it and no luck.

I can check tomorrow, I live quite close to there. Of course, if she knows where it is she can always call.
posted by kathrineg at 9:21 AM on September 25

Okay, it's in this video at 2:04, in case that helps anyone else.
posted by kathrineg at 9:32 AM on September 25

Here is a flickr image that is higher quality, I got it from that youtube video. It doesn't look like it has a plaque. I will do some sleuthing tomorrow anyway!
posted by kathrineg at 9:40 AM on September 25

It's on the third floor (I believe) of the main stairwell. She said there's no plaque or tag on it.

Thanks very much!
posted by shakespeherian at 9:49 AM on September 25

Okay, the third floor, that helps. I will go scope it out tomorrow.
posted by kathrineg at 10:00 AM on September 25

If you can get a better picture, kathrineg, please send it to me. My aunt lived in the Chelsea for years and years and may well know whose it is. Actually, although I can't really tell from the image, it might even be one of hers. If it's hers it will be signed TRUXELL somewhere on the bottom.
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:00 AM on September 25

ALTERNATELY can anyone help me identify this painting?

I bet these people know...

http://www.hotelchelsea.com/contact.php
posted by grateful at 11:08 AM on September 25

There's a movie out next week about the Chelsea's art collection -- might be something on the site.
posted by vickyverky at 4:10 PM on September 25

BAH! I went there and the person on duty was not helpful but seemed rather junior in ranking. I will try again with a different person and maybe more shenanigans. Legal and ethical shenanigans, don't worry.
posted by kathrineg at 10:41 PM on September 26

I went last Friday, the desk staff and I think a manager were there. They knew the painting and it is one of their favorites. Someone who died a couple of decades ago painted it. They're going to ask someone who knows more about the in-hotel paintings and get back to me tomorrow. They were very nice and knowledgeable and recognized it right away from my description.
posted by kathrineg at 10:48 PM on October 4

Thanks very much for keeping at this, kathrineg. Gold star.
posted by shakespeherian at 6:31 AM on October 5