Empty Retail 11
©2009 Craig Ashby
Digital Photograph

Empty Retail 11 is another great space. A tiny bike storage area in the bottom of the New York Times building. It’s a space I have fantasized about every time I walk past it.

The first thing I thought when finding it was how great a makeshift gallery space it could be. I could see my pieces in the grimness. Maybe just offer flashlights to illuminate the shadows created by that oppressive fluorescent glare.

Even though I do love the glare. The placement being vertical instead of the obvious horizontal. It just works in a way that is not overly designed but is carefully thought out.

The big failure in my idea of a gallery space is that it would involve negotiating with the New York Times. My previous interaction with a reporter left me numb. I don’t think I could stomach the possibility and retain my integrity.

Plus you know they would never do it. Or they would want a tremendous amount of money I could never afford. Plus it is now a home for bike racks. Presumably for employees who just can’t have their bikes outside. Precious.