Art, Sunlight and Developers

Artist Chuck Close is fighting a developer over a proposed building that would block all sunlight from the quadriplegic painter's New York studio. The 66 year old artist, who is renowned for his detailed 9 foot tall portraits, is in a dispute with New York developer Olmstead Properties over its plans to build a five story condo building that would block his art studio from the sun. "I can accept a loss of some light. I'm not unreasonable," said the artist "but it would be a very good sign if the developer respected the artists who pioneered this neighborhood and came up with a compromise." Both the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art have offered support to Close, who paints by a series of motorized cables and foot pedals. Olmstead has begun negotiations with the artist and his neighbors over the proposed project. For the full story - click the title Irish Art