A MotherSister Minute: Kana Togashi & Gabriel Smith
If you passed Kana and Gabe on one of the neighborhood sidewalks, you might assume they’re part of the newer hipster contingent who discovered the area upon matriculating at Pratt. You’d be mistaken. While they are 21-year-old fine arts students — Kana at Pratt, Gabe at Cooper Union — they grew up in Fort Greene and have watched it change dramatically. Gabe, who attended P.S. 20 and lives on Fort Greene Place, is especially concerned about the real estate development (quite understandable, since his childhood home is now in the shadow of the Forte condos). “Change has to happen,” he allows, “but I think in the process history has to be thought about.” Kana and Gabe were classmates at LaGuardia and now work part-time at Gallery Hanahou, which recently mounted the excellent Stina Persson show. They generously spared a few moments — precious ones, as the gallery’s new show opens on Thursday (more on that TK) — and indulged me and a cranky (teething) Scamp for a MotherSister Minute.
KANA
LIVING HERE SINCE: 1992. We moved here from Park Slope. My mom bought a house with whatever money she could come up with. After she bought it, everything [in the neighborhood] started changing.
WHY FORT GREENE/CLINTON HILL: My mom didn’t exactly like Park Slope. She wanted someplace with more subway access. It was a dirty house, but she loved it.
FAVORITE PLACE IN THE AREA: This is hard….I always liked walking down South Portland — I used to roller skate there because the sidewalks were smooth — and then going from there to Fort Greene Park. [Of places that no longer exist:] I did like Video Basket a lot — they had rare movies. And Cambodian Cuisine, for my Asian noodle cravings.
MIKE’S COFFEE SHOP OR PRATT COFFEE SHOP: Usually I go to Pratt, but I try to go home [to eat] as much as I can to save money.
TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD: I think it was a better place for me to grow up than Park Slope. I had neighborhood friends. It would be nice to maintain that community, neighborhood feel for the children.
GABE
LIVING HERE SINCE: 1986. I’ve lived in my house all my life. I live at home now because I’m still in school, and I love the neighborhood.
WHY FORT GREENE/CLINTON HILL: My mom’s originally from the Bronx and my father’s from Cleveland — I’m not sure why [they chose the neighborhood]. The brownstones were affordable.
FAVORITE PLACE IN THE AREA: [He thinks for a long time.] I guess Fort Greene Park, right where the stairs are. That’s a nice part of the park to sit down and relax. Also, Academy Restaurant — it’s a nice diner, and it has a lot of nostalgic value [for me]. Also, BAM Park. [Of places that no longer exist:] Spike’s Joint.
MIKE’S COFFEE SHOP OR PRATT COFFEE SHOP: I don’t know either one, so I’d say neither.
TIPS OR SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Try to take walks around the neighborhood, without a destination, and enjoy the architecture and the scenery. It’s my favorite thing to do.
You can check out what these crazy kids — whose relaxed, creative, and warm-hearted vibe embodies everything I love about this neighborhood — are up to on the Internets at KanaKateTogashi.com and GabrielSmith.org.