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My jolly irascible friend has died by “defenestration” (see: @walterrobinsonstudio and look up that word, I had to). Many of my friends and colleagues knew him as my strange, charming, and sometimes dangerous neighbour who slipped all sorts of media under my door on 12th St. Others met him as “the art critic” — the protagonist I wrote about in my UCLA writing classes. He inspired the character and gave me the makings for a great story. In the final chapter, I dumped him out on the road. The entire class protested! “No! You can’t do that, save the art critic!” They had fallen for the deeply flawed gregarious filthy genius that was Charlie! 

During the pandemic we kept in touch. As the months wore on he complained no one sent him mail. He loved everything about the US postal service and used it ceaselessly. I had an idea, an art project of sorts, the ‘mail bombing’ (as he referred to it) began when I inadvertantly wrote the wrong return address on a book (The Parables of Peanuts –R. Short) that was meant to be a friendly gift. With the help of many of you, near and far, letters, packages, thrift store cds, and used books landed in his mailbox with the mysterious return address. Charlie was perplexed then delighted, frustrated, a little bit scared, flattered, annoyed, and threatening to call the FBI. I denied denied denied and maybe beat him at his own game. Sadly it is over. My last move is now the perfect ending. Anonymously I mailed individual puzzle pieces to tenants of the building asking them to slip their piece under Charlie’s door. Once assembled it revealed a portrait of him by one of his artist friends. Charlie will be remembered as a connector of people. Thanks to those who were game to play! 

@charlesfinch_noap @ajathas @kristiadamsnyc  @emilyweiskopfstudio 

#charliefinch #eastvillage #newyorknewyork #newyorkstories #artcritic #artnet #uclaextensionwritersprogram #mailart #everybodylovesanut #handwriting #peanuts
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