Beloved Lower East Sider Adam Purple passed away last year, leaving behind the memory of his incredible Garden of Eden community garden project on the LES in the 1970s and early 1980s.
In this recently uploaded video from the 5 Ninth Avenue Project — the NYU-run YouTube channel that is digitizing and releasing the vast archives of artist Nelson Sullivan's videos — watch as the artist explores inside the Garden of Eden, offering a rare glimpse of what is was like behind the scenes.
Begun in 1973 amid the slums of the East Village, the Garden of Eden became a peaceful refuge for many because of the devotion of Adam Purple, who lived nearby. In this video by Nelson Sullivan, Kennan Raines delivers a dramatic explanation of this garden using her talent with poetry. Includes a brief appearance by Adam Purple.
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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