the purple guy
if you live in the EV or LES you've probably seen Adam Purple around, but unless you moved here about 20 years ago you might not know who he is... (this pic was taken a few weeks ago when we stopped to chat with Adam about the progress of the Surface Hotel "monstrosity", as Adam calls it :-)

Adam Purple has been a beloved activist, artist and icon on the Lower East Side for several decades. he's most known for The Garden of Eden - a huge circular garden he developed and nurtured on Forsythe in the 70's-80's (that was bulldozed in 1986 for low income housing). the garden was a glorious and massive work of art that was made using all kinds of abandoned debris that Adam found around the city and recycled, including horse manure. Adam not only brought a great work of beauty, peace and enjoyment to the people of the neighborhood, but he was known for passing around the harvest. since the garden was destroyed, he's moved to the East Village and continues his activism and recycling work throughout the neighborhood.

if you're new to the EV or LES take a minute to read a little about one of the area's true homesteaders, it was a different world just a decade ago. and if you see the "purple guy" in the hood, please treat him with the honor and respect he deserves, anarchist heroes come in all shapes and sizes.