Thursday, December 20, 2012
At Home With Artist Chelsea Knight
Posted by John Emrys Eller on Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Despite a post-9/11 stint in Europe, a few experimental years in Chicago and flings in the other boroughs, Chelsea Knight has always known Brooklyn was her one and only. This video and performance artist currently lives in East Flatbush, where the southeastern corner of Prospect Park is practically her personal backyard. But, of course, it’s not all noodle salad and video art in those parts. Knight is nevertheless stands by her home.
What do you do?
I'm an artist working in video and performance.
How long have you lived in Brooklyn?
On and off for nine years.
Why did you move to Brooklyn?
I moved here after college originally to work at Aperture Magazine, and stayed for five years working as a designer and photographer. Then after September 11th, I felt I needed some space from New York City and moved to Europe. And then Chicago to go to graduate school for video and photography. I moved back to Brooklyn in 2009 to pursue my career as an artist. Brooklyn always just felt like home. I had stints in the early 2000's living in Harlem and then Inwood, but I always knew Brooklyn was where I ultimately wanted to live.
What's your favorite thing about your space?
The stained-glass windows. And that it's close to Prospect Park.
Slideshow
What's your least favorite thing?
That a murder happened on my block last month.
What are the three (inanimate) things you'd save first in a fire?
My computer, my books and my video collection.
Favorite time of day?
Early afternoon when sunlight light floods the apartment, especially my living room.
If you suddenly received a windfall of cash, what changes would you make to your space?
I would get a washing machine and a nice bed for our guest room.
If you could move your house/block/neighborhood to another city, which one would it be, and why?
I’d move my apartment to Los Angeles, because the weather is always nice and there is a comparable art life there. But really, I probably wouldn't want to move it anywhere, I love Brooklyn.
