Keith Schweitzer

On April 4, 2012, the gates of the Andrew Freedman Home opened to the public. The Home was once built to be a haven, a paradise, for the rich elderly who had lost their fortunes. Bequeathed by millionaire Andrew Freedman, the Home provided not only food and shelter but all the accoutrements of a rich and civilized life style – white glove dinner service, a grand ball room, a wood-paneled library, billiard room and a social committee who organized concerts, opera performances and the like.

Referencing this quixotic history, This Side of Paradise references the past and reconnect the vision of Andrew Freedman to today’s Bronx and its realities. The exhibition and its extensive public programming onsite and offsite draws together the economic and social history of the Home with the present day realities of the Bronx and its residents.

The selected artists’ work in a site-specific manner and respond to such issues as memory, immigration, storytelling, aging and the creation of fantasy that the original concept of the Home “being poor in style” suggests. This Side of Paradise celebrates human ingenuity, the strength of the human spirit and the resilience needed to fashion beauty, hope and rejoicing.

Curated by Manon Slome & Keith Schweitzer with Lucy Lydon & Charlotte Caldwell

Artists: John Ahearn, Alina & Jeff Bliumis, Mario Chamarro, Mel Chin, Crash, Melanie Crean, Linda Cunningham, Daze, Nicky Enright, Hautey Ramos Fermin, Martine Fougeron, Elizabeth Hamby, Carmen Hernandez, How & Nosm, Art Jones, Lisa Kahane, Justen Ladda, Abigail Lazkoz, Sofia Maldonando, Guido Albi Marini, Esperanza Mayobre, Laura Napier, Cheryl Pope, Bruce Richards, Tim Rollins & K.O.S., Gian Maria Tosatti, Federico Uribe

Partnering organizations included: Bronx Museum, Bronx River Art Center, Casita Maria, Hebrew Home at Riverdale, Lehman College Art Gallery, Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos College, The Bronx Children’s Museum, The Bronx Council of the Arts, The Bronx Documentary Center, The POINT, Wave Hill

In May 2011, I curated an exhibition on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with RJ Rushmore of Vandalog and Michael Glatzer of the MaNY Project. Entitled “Up Close & Personal”, the exhibit presented small works, in an indoor setting,  by a group of artists who are internationally renowned for painting large works outdoors.

Artists: Aiko, Chris Stain, Clown Soldier, Don Leicht, Edible Genius, Elbowtoe, Gaia, How & Nosm, Jessica Angel, John Fekner, Know Hope, Logan Hicks, Mike Ballard, OverUnder, R. Robot, Radical, Retna, Skewville, Tristan Eaton, Troy Lovegates aka Other, Veng and White Cocoa

In March of 2011, I worked with the MaNY Project and artist duo “How & Nosm” to organize this street facing mural on the exterior roll-down gate of a storefront located on East 14th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.