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.... 😮

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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 🎨 🖼 🙌

[@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

[@Twilson4156]

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

[@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.

[@juanpablosilvaaleman539]

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

[@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. :-)

[@bonniesidler4309]

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

[@Cactina]

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

[@terryelkins4369]

Fascinating! Carmen is warmly portrayed. Loved his artwork and stories. Thanks

[@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!

[@tkross4342]

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

[@rebekahcuriel-alessi2239]

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

[@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.

[@charlesbeaudelair8331]

Seems to be a relaxed, wise gentleman.

[@Vuedigital]

This is brilliant mate, you told his story perfectly

[@tomsplitt4853]

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

[@melanieeberhardt69]

I really enjoyed this interview and meeting Carmen. Thank you

[@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 :)

[@imluisnunes]

Amazing stuff here, inspiration of the day!

[@joshuacharow]

Thank you so much Luis!

[@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!

[@slowfashionstyle]

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

[@studioLanaK]

Beautiful artist, thank you for documenting this!

[@loribeetler591]

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

[@SinaLaJuanaLewis]

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

[@kimberlypotts8922]

THIS is priceless. Great work, Josh. Just wow. ❤❤❤ Just ordered your beautiful book. Sending you much good energy toward the project. - k

[@MsPWoods]

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

[@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 🥰🥰🥰

[@robertm.8608]

What A treat. THANK YOU.

[@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.

[@psrosemary]

Thank you!

[@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!!! 🙏🏻

[@my-mysknitsaloon]

You take me to places with your photograps that I never want to leave. Your book is nr:1on my wishing list. Warm grettings from Northern Sweden❣

[@SultanaP]

Bless him! Cherish our elders!

[@gol622]

Made me feel so good... thank you 🥰

[@chrisgiuliano1966]

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

[@catluvnj]

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

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

Love this series. At 75, Carmen is my hero for a possible future. My father had a coffee shop at Broadway and Bond and I used to deliver coffee to the factories around there. Later, I lived in Manhattan in the 70s and used to know people who lived in those same spaces. Your project brings back memories.

[@JCRobbinsGuitar]

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

[@PinPimYT]

I love the effort you put into your videos. The quality of everything from composition, editing and audio mixing far surpass your subscriber count. Best of luck with the channel!

[@Highvibes777]

Absolutely beautiful man!!!! Love the studio!

[@iamthatiamstevenm]

Amazing. You are so smart to film him. You should do more. Lot's to learn here about art which is life...

[@FromtheSoultotheFretboard]

Love the background jazz music, too

[@marcarturi2137]

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

[@svensergehamann1669]

Thank you for your work and for creating an important document of our times! I will buy your book, that's for sure! Cheers from Berlin

[@chilli_bean_23]

FAB photos! 👏👏👏 What an amazingly vibrant and upbeat man, fantastic to see into his world. Thank you (from Ireland!)

[@perpetualmaker]

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

[@carmenruiz5033]

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

[@MadisonBriggsArtchick]

My dream life!!!! What a lucky and talented painter. Thank you for this!

[@MrPhotodoc]

I like this guy. A diamond in the rough.

[@marblegarden8456]

This man will live to be 130! Look how healthy he is, and his movement… sort of crazy! Great artwork too of course!!

[@ladenacrenshaw3258]

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

[@lisengel2498]

What a lovely couple and they are radiating so much joy of life - very inspiring life 🎶🖤🎵

[@cary.macey_art]

Fantastic work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lissywilson]

Thank you for documenting these people, buildings and the lives lived inside. It’s fascinating and nostalgic and inspiring! Feels like a secret world which you and they have allowed us into before it disappears.

[@OnlyGoodJawn]

We need more videos like this.

[@S41L0R]

I really love how you're doing videos to accompany your book

[@joshuacharow]

Thanks! It was such a rich story I wanted to make sure there was a video element too

[@kolorfulkarol]

This is so well made and I love Carmen’s story so much, new subscriber and fan here! ✨

[@TonySwaby]

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

[@misplacedstyle]

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

[@11buleria]

Josh, your idea to document these artist spaces Is fantastic. I will buy your book. I am in the age group to have lived in an old loft like the ones you visited. I see that most of the artists are the original inhabitants. Carmen Cicero is a tribute to art keeping one young in spirit. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@shadsfc6598]

Great job.Historical footage

[@mariereilly2084]

Awesome work, Josh. And a fantastic artist and story of both the person as well as The Bowery. My good friend Håvard Homstvedt lived right there post RISD and Yale painting and it always felt like his work was enriched in that environment. Maybe angels live in the plaster or something. Anyways, thank you for your work. Just bought your book and can’t wait to swim in your photos!!❤❤❤❤

[@loriannehancock6364]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@yahoody9358]

Beautiful and inspiring! I look forward to more!

[@muktigrace3677]

Fabulous!!!!! I love seeing such aliveness at any age. What a truly beautiful man/artist. You can tell when someone is living their souls truth.

[@vandannadale2689]

WoW! Both Mr.Cicero & his art AND the important work you’re doing, Josh! So glad to have stumbled on your channel! Carry on!✌🏼

[@boicutOne]

Wonderful and inspiring video! Being an artist myself watching portraits of older artists that have never stopped to follow their passion is so exciting to me. I believe its the key of „staying young“. I hope life means it well with me and this is me in 50 something years. The photos look great as well! Beautiful project.

[@startrekker188]

Carmen is amazing! He's definately part of a by gone era. Thx Josh. Carmen is a beautiful person ✌️☮️

[@patrick8030]

Great job Josh! And thanks for your personal comments at the end.

[@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 😊

[@MsAston007]

Great video. Love seeing these artists and how they pursued their Art throughout their lives. Bravo!

[@user-uj8ib7hj5j]

Thank you for having the idea for this project. I wonder if the studios will be taken off the artists when they depart? I pray they are protected as loft studios for artists, or that they might be handed over to artists that need them. Great work.

[@AtelierofZ_Co24]

Very handsome when he was 35, God Bless him for living in a walk up and having the strength and clear mind at 96.

[@djr3386]

Thank you Josh for this interview. Nice photographs. Your latest subscriber 🙏🏽

[@kathleenmacfarland1817]

What a handsome young man!!!!! Great attitude and good hearted! ❤💜🧡

[@Pistou1000]

Fantastic video, thank you so much for sharing! question: what’s the music in the background?

[@corinnewinter-rousset1650]

What energy he has for 97, unreal.

[@TheNomaer]

Hell Yeah! I wanna be that young when I'm that old. Great soul. 😎😎😎😎😎😎❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@IntenseRampage]

He’s looking great both here and in the book!

[@coutureclown333]

Sooooo happy youre doing this!!!❤

[@LS-ti1rz]

Man this guy is a National Treasure! He is also very sprite for 96. Its hard to believe he's that old. He moves about like if he's half that age. God bless him. I could listen to him talk for days. He is a mount of wisdom and knowledge for sure...

[@NN57143]

He is extraordinary! Thank you so much for this incredible video. Subscribed and I look forward to buying your book.

[@urvashisy9295]

amazing man! amazing loft! great piece - thank you

[@user-xi4jw4mh7p]

Thank you for this video. What an inspiration. Love from Denmark❤️

[@JCRoShow]

wow thanks for this! what a life so cool to see

[@Michelle-cz1vj]

That 6th floor walk up kept him fit.

[@ThereandBackaKen]

Love this, thanks for doing this and bringing these amazing artists to prominence here. Gotta get the book!

[@davefahy3577]

Wonderful! Glad to see NY hasn't lost all the lofts and wonderful artists!

[@ronhust5620]

Thank you for documenting the life of us artists.

[@joaogkarayannopoulos7197]

This is amazing, thank you for sharing!