About this project
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Lost Bohemia is a documentary about the little known yet culturally significant Carnegie Artist Studios. The film began as an attempt to capture the unique and eccentric residents of this landmark community, but as filming progressed, the atmosphere of the building was drastically changed due to a series of renovations implemented by the Carnegie Corporation, renovations that converted 160 19th century studios into office space and evicted an entire community of artists, musicians, actors and writers, ending a century old tradition.
The production of Lost Bohemia was completed in 2010, and the film went on to do a theatrical run at the IFC Center in New York City, where it was enthusiastically received. Audiences were not only drawn in by the residents of the Carnegie Studios and their struggles, but also the film’s larger anti-gentrification message. While the film focuses on one small group in New York, it is about any community that has been destroyed in the name of progress: the neighborhoods that have been replaced with sleek condos and boutiques, the Mom and Pop stores driven out of business by megamarts, the little patches of heaven that have been paved over and turned into parking lots. It’s about art being replaced by commerce, and how it can happen anywhere, at any time, even on such hallowed ground as Carnegie Hall.
The film has a universal message that appeals to a number of audiences that, at this point, have no way of receiving it, which is why we're committed to securing funds for nationwide and international distribution. Documentaries like this have a tendency to operate at a loss, so it’s hard to get financial backing from a big studio: if your film isn’t poised rake in the big bucks, they generally aren’t interested.
And that’s why we need your help. We need funding to make prints of Lost Bohemia, to get it playing in theaters and art houses worldwide, and to promote the film in a wide array of media. Anything you can do to help us fulfill our goals, even if it’s just donating a dollar or helping to spread the word, is greatly appreciated. We also have some unique incentives to offer you, from books to illustrations to records to photographs, each of which was made by a resident of the Carnegie Studios.
By distributing this film, we hope to achieve two things:
1. To preserve the legacy of the Carnegie Artist Studios as well as its remarkable tenants, from Marlon Brando to Bill Cunningham, from Isadora Duncan to Editta Sherman.
2. To ensure the future by bringing attention to the fragile state of our cultural ecology in a way that will help others in preventing similar tragedies.
We, as well as the many residents of the Carnegie Artist Studios in Exile, thank you.
FAQ
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$19,702
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 5, 2011.
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Thank You Board- Anyone who pledges a dollar or more will be listed on the Lost Bohemia website's "Thank You" board, a page dedicated to acknowledging those who helped this project come to fruition.
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Poster- 2' x 3' poster for Lost Bohemia, depicting Carnegie Hall and Studios, as well as the illustrious Editta Sherman. Designed by Savinien Caracostea, son of Carnegie tenant Rodica Prato. Signed by director Josef Astor.
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Director's Cut DVD- The official DVD release of Lost Bohemia. Features include such extras as additional footage and photos. Does not ship until 2012.
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The Love Poems of Elizabeth Sargent- The reclusive Poet in her own words. Never seen in the film, Elizabeth Sargent's frequent voicemails to director Josef Astor help guide the narrative of Lost Bohemia, providing insight and commentary. These vintage books collect her poems on love, sex and death.
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Pre-Release Limited Edition DVD- For those not willing to wait a year, we have the limited edition pre-release DVD of Lost Bohemia. A first pressing, bare bones DVD of the finished cut of the film. Ships as soon as possible. Signed by director Josef Astor. A collecter's item.
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Un Récital Intime by Jeanne Beauvais- Extremely rare 10" vinyl record by beloved chanteuse and long-time Carnegie resident Jeanne Beauvais, sadly no longer with us. Twelve classic French songs full of wit, drama, and beauty.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: Studio Exterior- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print depicting the Façade of the Carnegie Artist Studios. From an edition of 20, signed by photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: Editta Sherman in Studio 1208- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print of Editta Sherman, the Dutchess of Carnegie Hall, in her Studio. From an edition of 20, signed by photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: Studio 845- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print of photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor's studio 845. From an edition of 20, signed by Josef. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: Josef Astor in Studio 845- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print of photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor in his studio. From an edition of 20, signed by Josef. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: New York Grand Opera- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print of studio 128, home of the New York Grand Opera. From an edition of 20, signed by photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: Donald Shirley in Studio 130- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print of musician Donald Shirley in his studio. From an edition of 20, signed by photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: Bruno of Hollywood- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print of studio 70, home of Bruno of Hollywood. From an edition of 20, signed by photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Josef Astor Carnegie Studio Photos: Robert X. Modica in Studio 809- An 11″ x 14″ fine art print of acting teacher Robert Modica in his studio. From an edition of 20, signed by photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Individual prints are $100, but if you pledge an additional $20 a copy of the Director’s Cut DVD of Lost Bohemia will also be shipped to you in early 2012.
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Façades- Featured in Lost Bohemia, Façades is a collaboration between Carnegie residents Bill Cunningham and Editta Sherman that celebrates 200 years of New York fashion and architecture. Despite the newfound celebrity of Mr. Cunningham, this book is still out of print and extremely rare.
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Josef Astor Photograph: Don Shirley in Studio 130- A beautiful, painterly 16"x20" limited edition print of pianist Don Shirley in his studio. Photo is signed by photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Comes with a copy of the limited edition DVD of Lost Bohemia, which ships early 2012.
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Pen & Ink Drawing 5: Vineyard- One of four unique pen and ink drawings by celebrated illustrator and Carnegie resident Rodica Prato. Each 12x12 illustration was originally commissioned for The Gardener's Apprentice, a book of folktales and flowers. Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Pen & Ink Drawing 6: The Bird Jungle- One of four unique pen and ink drawings by celebrated illustrator and Carnegie resident Rodica Prato. Each 12x12 illustration was originally commissioned for The Gardener's Apprentice, a book of folktales and flowers. Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Pen & Ink Drawing 1: Fountain - One of four unique pen and ink drawings by celebrated illustrator and Carnegie resident Rodica Prato. Each 12x12 illustration was originally commissioned for The Gardener's Apprentice, a book of folktales and flowers. Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Pen & Ink Drawing 3: Ferns- One of four unique pen and ink drawings by celebrated illustrator and Carnegie resident Rodica Prato. Each 12x12 illustration was originally commissioned for The Gardener's Apprentice, a book of folktales and flowers. Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Pen & Ink Drawing 4: Garden Shower- One of four unique pen and ink drawings by celebrated illustrator and Carnegie resident Rodica Prato. Each 12x12 illustration was originally commissioned for The Gardener's Apprentice, a book of folktales and flowers. Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Pen & Ink Drawings- Four unique pen and ink drawings by celebrated illustrator and Carnegie resident Rodica Prado. Each 12x12 illustration was originally commissioned for The Gardener's Apprentice, a book of folktales and flowers. Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website; If interested, please indicate illustration preference. $500 individually, $2,000 for the set.
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Tenant Portrait Portfolio- A limited edition portfolio made by tenant, photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Each comes in a distinguished cloth portfolio and contains 10 fine art photographs of Carnegie residents in their studios. Portflio dimensions are 9"x12".
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Carnegie Studios Portfolio- A limited edition portfolio made by tenant, fine art photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor. Each comes in a distinguished cloth portfolio and contains 10 fine art photographs of Carnegie studios at various stages: in their prime, during the "renovations," and in their current state. Portflio dimensions are 9"x12".
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Black & White Fine Art Photograph- Portrait of Mark Morris shot by Carnegie tenant, fine art photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor in his studio. 11"x14". Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Black & White Fine Art Photograph- Portrait of Colleen Duhurst shot by Carnegie tenant, fine art photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor in his studio. 11"x14". Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Black & White Fine Art Photograph- Portrait of Philip Glass shot by Carnegie tenant, fine art photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor in his studio. 11"x14". Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Black & White Fine Art Photograph- Portrait of Martha Graham shot by Carnegie tenant, fine art photographer and Lost Bohemia director Josef Astor in his studio. 11"x14". Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Editta Sherman Celebrity Portraits: Leroy Neiman- Shot by the Duchess of Carnegie Hall herself! Signed by photographer and longtime Carnegie resident Editta Sherman as well as Leroy Neiman. 11"x14". Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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Editta Sherman Celebrity Portraits: Angela Lansbury- Photograph shot by the Duchess of Carnegie Hall herself! Signed by photographer and longtime Carnegie resident Editta Shermanl. 11"x14". Images can be found on the Lost Bohemia website. Comes with a copy of Lost Bohemia on DVD, to be shipped in 2012.
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In 1985, Josef Astor opened his studio in Carnegie Hall and launched his theatrically staged, historically informed photography. Astor is acclaimed for his portraits of individuals from the world of music, architecture, dance, theatre and art.
His photography regularly appears in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The New Yorker, Newsweek, GQ, Esquire, Rolling Stone, House and Garden, Dance Ink. Astor’s advertising clients range from AT & T to Bergdorf Goodman, Absolut Vodka and Phillip Morris. He was also Production Designer for the PBS documentary Aaron Copland at 100.
Astor’s work has been widely collected and exhibited, including shows at The International Center of Photography, Julie Saul Gallery and Vanity Fair Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in London, spring 2008. He received the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography. Astor is currently on the faculty of the School of Visual Arts in New York City and has also taught in the MFA program at Bard College. Astor was formerly a photo assistant for Irving Penn, Deborah Turbeville and Angus McBean.
