I Photographed 96-Year-Old Painter Carmen Cicero in his NYC Studio

Buy the book: www.damianibooks.com/en/produ...
Contact me: [e-mail]
To inquire about purchasing a print, please contact: [e-mail]
I spent the past two years creating my first photography book titled 'Loft Law. The Last of New York City's Original Artist Lofts' about artists living under the protection of the Loft Law. The law, enacted in 1982, granted protection and rent stabilization to thousands of artists who were living illegally in commercial and manufacturing zoned lofts in neighborhoods like Soho, Tribeca, and the Bowery after the manufacturing industry predominantly left Manhattan. I photographed and interviewed over 75 artists who are still living in these incredible lofts to this day. The photographs explore some of the most unique beautiful, and hidden artist studios across New York City. The book includes writing and personal stories from the incredible group of artists featured in the book.
Carmen Cicero is an abstract expressionist painter whose works are collected by some of New York’s premier museums including the Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum and Whitney Museum of American Art. To see more of his work: www.carmencicero.com/
For Carmen Cicero's Painting Inquiries: [e-mail]
Cinematography by Owen Halstad
Edit by Josh Charow
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Follow me on Instagram: / joshuacharow

[@jamesbrown8908]

Damn, he’s looking great for 96!!

[@julie5310]

Incredible!!!

[@SuperOlds88]

No shit, he looks good if he was half his age.

[@justrelax129]

I work in assisted living and let me tell you… GREAT for 96

[@catherinelilyrichardson528]

Totally!!! Doing what he loves ❤

[@meredithheath5272]

You aren't kidding.... 😮

[@margaretcroft]

He’s not 96 years OLD, he’s 96 years YOUNG! Amazing video…thank you Josh! Well done! I paint and a studio like that would be a dream..can’t wait to get your book. Loft Law!

[@Mariah.B11]

He's gorgeous

[@thinkplanetearth2946]

I cannot believe this man is 96. Could've listened a bit longer. With 50+ years living in NY he must have a ton of stories. I enjoyed this.

[@fosbury68]

Hiking up and down those 5 flights of stairs at 96 - God bless you Carmen.

[@grownmangamer942]

probably a reason hes doing so well at his age.

[@thalooti-food51]

Have you seen those steep steps? Wow. Walking up and down so many steps is an immediate exercise. When he walks those steps, it makes him vital.

[@user-jz3cc5tl8b]

Josh, many thanks for this wonderful glimpse of Carmen and Mary's studio loft. It is a special place that our family has shared so much love and laughter. Carmen is truly amazing, even more so in person.

[@joshuacharow]

Mary & Carmen are so wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to write these kind words

[@bibijet1316]

Amazing work, amazing subject 🎨 🖼 🙌

[@andreacooks59]

Being an Artist preserves you..I'm convinced.

[@higgsmerino3925]

Eva Hesse is laughing hysterically!

[@hanshaveron]

Well said..Something about an absence of authority of how to live your life mixed with doing what you love ..he seems sharp and young as could be

[@joey1317]

It didn’t preserve Van Gogh or Jackson Pollock…..

[@jdmosaics]

@@higgsmerino3925sadly nothing could have saved her from brain cancer😢 RIP sweet lady ❤

[@mariam2964]

That and going up and down five flights of stairs every day

[@forgeahead6287]

This is the kind of set up I’d love to have to live and work. I’m 60, got my art degree in 1991 and have struggled to do art. But I will never give up. I absolutely love the environment he’s created for himself. He looks amazing for his age…this is what happens when you love what you do.

[@brankobelfranin8815]

I'm 67 and doing the same thing but in Miami

[@chrisreynoldsartwork]

Yes, me also. It's a shame that his work is terrible!

[@brankobelfranin8815]

@@chrisreynoldsartwork Lol what a nice guy

[@chrisreynoldsartwork]

@@brankobelfranin8815 Sure, people can't handle any kind of truth these days...

[@thugmonk9837]

​@@chrisreynoldsartwork I've heard people say the same about Basquiats work so hey 🤷🏾‍♂️ that's the thing about art it's subjective

[@christinebarone2151]

What a cool man!!! He’s an inspiration to all of us seniors 🥰

[@cumbaja3456]

i just semi retired from work. There is another life to live. Besides help out my kids and see the grand kids develop. and yes art is part of that stage in life.

[@patstats1]

Last of the living NYC abstract expressionists…what a wonderful "glimpse" into his life. I’d certainly watch more.

[@myradioon]

In the 80's my Art School Professors lived in lofts like this and would have the classes come for studio visits etc. That's a classic NYC Artist Loft. He's The Man.

[@redmoondesignbeth9119]

Thank You ALL for sharing. Delightful. My Big Regret is that I wasn't part of the NYC Art Scene in the 50s, But I was just a kid then. LOL Someone showed me Grandma Moses when I was 5 and I decided that I would live an extraordinary life and then start painting when I was 70. Well, I just turned 72 and I landed in Santa Fe after an extraordinary life.

[@bluewren65]

Did you start painting?

[@redmoondesignbeth9119]

@@bluewren65 Yes ✌😊

[@veronicababy7959]

Lets go! I just turned 70 and am doing graphic memoir.

[@redmoondesignbeth9119]

@@veronicababy7959 I like being this age because I have more to say.✌😄

[@bluewren65]

@@redmoondesignbeth9119 Fantastic. What medium are you working in? What types of subjects?

[@mariep9645]

His studio seems like a really cool space to experience.

[@joshuacharow]

It's otherworldly in there

[@johnclement9370]

Still looks good for 96, a sharp creative mind, he gets around independently, he's living the Life, good on him, interesting and Imaginative artwork with bold colors and images, amazing stuff. :-)

[@precioustraveler]

#GOALS! Carmen looks amazing; he is mentally sharp, and he is still creating art. I don't necessarily need to live up to 96 years old, but if I do, Carmen is an inspiration for how I want to live my life. Cheers! Also, Bravo to @Josh Charow for publishing your book. Thank you and your collaborators for this engaging series of videos.

[@Twilson4156]

This was beautiful and i am shock on how that 96 yr old man moves and speak without help! ART 🎨❤

[@juanpablosilvaaleman539]

incredible talent and the vitality he has for being 96 years old is truly amazing !!!

[@imagemakerssociety]

This is one of the coolest things ever! Wow. I WANT this book! I was born and raised in NYC through highschool but have been living in FL for many years now. And hearing this 90s+ year old man share his story was so fascinating and a little reminder of even my days growing up in the 80s in NYC. How dramatically it's changed but how awesome to find sweet little charming spaces that still exist. Thanks for capturing it dude!

[@bonniesidler4309]

What a wonderful artist. You really captured his charm in his conversation and his energy and talent in your incredible video and photos. ❤

[@bellebeauty67]

Doing what you love, and climbing those stairs to the top floor have served Carmen well!!❤ The loft is gorgeous. I lived on 4th Street n Bowery (late 80’s early 90’s)for over 10 yrs. How fortunate to have that space for over 50 yrs What was once a remote, desolate are in NYC, is now extremely pricey real estate. Beautiful content, thank you.

[@Cactina]

Thank you for this wonderful portrait! What a wonderful artist and raconteur.

[@rontober4611]

Thank you.. It was great to meet the painter. Good art and a great personality. Thanks for keeping the art world he is in alive. 💜💛💙❤

[@joshuacharow]

Thank you for watching and the generous words :)

[@robertm.8608]

What A treat. THANK YOU.

[@studioLanaK]

Beautiful artist, thank you for documenting this!

[@RonaldGosses]

AWESOME! Thanks for showing.

[@pamelacroci6365]

lovely piece Josh....thank you

[@tkross4342]

Thank you for sharing this important part of history!!!! Mr. Cicero and his wife are very inspiring!

[@redinabloogs8477]

This is what I need to see!!! As an old artist 🎨 I believe I will still be painting into my 100s if I just keep working!!! Thanks 😊

[@illtyboi]

Absolutely wonderful! Thank you.

[@mariannewolf57]

What a great docu- thank you!

[@coutureclown333]

Sooooo happy youre doing this!!!❤

[@rebekahcuriel-alessi2239]

Wowwwwww!!!! And Mr Cicero is quite beautiful. Thank you, this is everything I like!! 🫂 🎨

[@kathleenscullion8348]

Wonderful and inspiring! Thanks.

[@tomsplitt4853]

Thanks for doing this. What a good soul you are!

[@KASPARFLUECK]

Absolutely awesome! Keep going!

[@dannyfoxguided]

Inspiring, thank you for doing this!

[@joaogkarayannopoulos7197]

This is amazing, thank you for sharing!

[@chrisgiuliano1966]

Wonderful segment! Just loved it,thank you for it!

[@Vuedigital]

This is brilliant mate, you told his story perfectly

[@melanieeberhardt69]

I really enjoyed this interview and meeting Carmen. Thank you

[@richardmundy4288]

So glad I found your video. THANKS

[@sannefridolin]

Wonderful reportage and portrait of this man

[@yahoody9358]

Beautiful and inspiring! I look forward to more!

[@gol622]

Made me feel so good... thank you 🥰

[@slowfashionstyle]

Looking inside the artist studio loft is incredible! Thank you for the video!

[@FromtheSoultotheFretboard]

Love the background jazz music, too

[@misplacedstyle]

Thank you for your videos, I find them so inspirational.

[@TheNanettelong]

So very well done. What a gem!

[@Highvibes777]

Absolutely beautiful man!!!! Love the studio!

[@TravelandBang]

So fantastic...thank you for your great work Joshua.

[@sunduza1]

Inspirational! What an energy.

[@rosalbavallejo3982]

Amazing video! Carmen thank you for sharing your talent.

[@loribeetler591]

Wow, what a wonderful life this man has seen and been part of.

[@elliotblackshaw8586]

Beautiful story, great photos.

[@clintonhewett9363]

Awesome history! And well made!!

[@loriannehancock6364]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@perpetualmaker]

Looking forward to receiving my copy! thank you for documenting these artists.

[@danielhenriquez4236]

I love this series! I can’t wait to look through your book.

[@marcusvaldes]

Wow, I hope you make more videos of these shoots. So amazing!

[@superfly2449]

Another great artist I’ve never heard of until this video. Many thanks!

[@carmenruiz5033]

Great great video! Of a greater artist! Thank you ❤ and fabulous photographs!

[@MsPWoods]

Loved this photo shoot Josh. What a story, what an inspiration, what a life . Thanks

[@catluvnj]

Fabulous, thank you for sharing this story with. Love the vibe

[@Dry_pastel]

Awesome! Fantastic photography and amazing storytelling!!

[@elmarwolters2751]

Wonderful story, well done , thank you very much

[@traceyelliott6891]

Brilliant video thank you so much for keeping our history alive

[@TonySwaby]

Love this, great work, great man. Superbly done.

[@ghostpearl8301]

Amazing! Love this.

[@shadsfc6598]

Great job.Historical footage

[@HUDSONVALLEYCOLORS]

What a magic journey for this artist!! Thanks for sharing!

[@thomasdeeter3679]

Love your work!!!🙏

[@SinaLaJuanaLewis]

Thank you for doing this!!! Mr. Cicero is a cool dude. Looking good at 96😮

[@peterlundskow4061]

I was so taken by this video & the other photos from your book I ordered a copy. Looking forward to getting it in April. I surely hope you will continue with videos of the other artists & their lofts you photographed. Such a great connection to when NYC was the true heart of the Art World & even farther back, as the buildings are some of the few examples left of typical architecture from the City in the 19th Century, Thank You!

[@JCRobbinsGuitar]

Hell yeah !!! Finally inspired thought. Thank you Josh, you made my day.

[@cary.macey_art]

Fantastic work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@judyhyland499]

Really enjoyed this.ty.

[@raymondwolken7975]

Stunning work and artist and a life well lived. Thanks for sharing

[@Monique-rn9lg]

Wow! That was excellent. His work is wonderful, and so is he. Thank you so much for doing this. I'm getting your book.

[@JulietteWilliams]

What a great project!! Congratulations on some great work!

[@marcarturi2137]

Great video Josh! I really enjoyed what Carmine had to say. Thanks for posting it!

[@HoricHraje]

And you managed to create this awesome short documentary while at it. Beautiful! Thank you for that.

[@psrosemary]

Thank you!

[@gnolan4281]

WOW! Kudos to Josh and Carmen for inspiring living & working.

[@LAMPSSSSSSSSSSSS]

This was very inspiring..... hope to live a long and fruitful life like this man!

[@thedianarein]

This is amazing! I can’t wait to see more.

[@victoriadejesus9252]

Thank you so much for doing this!! What a gem!! 🤍

[@doremefasolateeda]

This is Great..I love it, thank you..and the music is very pleasant.

[@adirajkumar]

❤ to see this Graceful Artist

[@ladenacrenshaw3258]

From one artist to another, you go DUDE!!, Show them what you got BABY!! What a great life!!

[@urvashisy9295]

amazing man! amazing loft! great piece - thank you

[@nimarimo2650]

Fantastique! Merci beaucoup! I love your work Mister Charow. thank you very much!

[@DottyDelightful]

Oh I love these so much, what a fantastic experience meeting so many amazing people, I really enjoy looking round the spaces too.

[@FrankieSinclair]

Great! I really enjoyed this short view into his world.

[@ronhust5620]

Thank you for documenting the life of us artists.

[@lv21987]

Just found your channel and I love it! Thank you! My dearest friend was a loft artist. First on William Street then she moved to a loft in an old building over at the Seaport. Lots of her friends were loft artists in Soho.

[@OnlyGoodJawn]

We need more videos like this.

[@user-yn4ol7ui9x]

Please interview more artists, I admire this interview

[@holdenatkinson639]

So well done👍🏼

[@CJShopland_Art]

Nearing 37 I wish I was as young as this artist! Will have to buy the book, I would love a loft space like this, with all that art storage :) wonderfully shot and love the stories and how this video was edited together 🥰🥰🥰

[@JohnKramer-artist]

Inspiring, beautifully photographed

[@LifebyBertie]

Hi Josh, just purchased your book! What an awesome story, documenting this is of absolute great value as it is a truly beautiful piece of New York history!!! 🙏🏻