Photography by Allan E. Schoening
Whether it be by way of lovers, roommates, co-workers or friends, life surrounds us with our own chosen extended families. Working Class took a deeper look into these relationships by getting to know some local families from Brooklyn.
The Artists
Names: PERU ANA ANA PERU
Occupations: Visual artists, wanderers.
Years in New York: Coming up on 8.
How did you guys meet? We were both working on the same private eye case at the same time, but we didn’t know it. We kept seeing each other at the places we were tailing our subject. So then naturally we each started thinking that the other one was following us, so one day outside of an old beat up deli we confronted each other. We fought, and we punched each other in the face. There was blood. Then, afterwards we made up and worked together to solve our case. Then we quit that job and started making art.
How long have you guys been together? Coming up on ten years now.
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Epic
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Yes. Perhaps roaming around a bit here and there. See other places. But always a home in New York.
What makes your relationship work? Tacos.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? Either both of us, or neither of us.
To see more on PERU ANA ANA PERU click here.
The Dream Team
Names: Trish Anderson and Maureen Walsh
Occupations: We run a design studio together called Domestic Construction.
Years in New York: Almost 5!!
How did you guys meet? We met in the fibers department at Savannah College of Art and Design
How long have you guys been together? Well, we aren’t really together but we’ve been friends for 6 or 7 years and have been in business together for a little over 3 years. We’re glad to clarify to Brooklyn once and for all that we are NOT together or interested in women.
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Supportive
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Our business will most likely remain here, but we’ll be heading out eventually.
What makes your relationship work? We’re both extremely passionate about what we do and believe in what we’ve started.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? We share a three legged pant… We even have one of those big shirts.
To see more on the girls and Domestic Construction click here.
The Osborns
Names: Aaron Osborn and Carla Venticinque Osborn and Cici
Occupations: Artists and designers, CEO of Osborn Design, hustlers, and visionaries.
Years in New York: Carla is from here, I moved here four years ago.
How did you guys meet? I brought a friend to see Need New Body play in Philly, my (Aaron’s) hometown. I saw this girl walking down the street, and I didn’t even think about it; I got up to go talk to her. When my friend saw who I was walking towards, he said, “Oh shit, that’s the girl I invited to the show.” I’ve been in love with Carla ever since.
How long have you guys been together? Almost five years, married for three and a half.
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Aaron: Thriving Carla: Om
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Yes. That is, if we end up staying in the U.S.
What makes your relationship work? Being friends for a long time before we got together. Also baby talk.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? We both help each other manage life.
To get more info, and see more on The Osborns click here.
The Band
Names: Johnny Siera, Jahphet Landis, Daniel Walker of The Death Set
Occupations: Resident heavy drinkers and party upsetters in punk band the Motherfuckin Death Set.
Years in New York: Jahphet 24, Johnny and Dan 1
How did you guys meet? We met online, slowly gained each others trust, then met in a public place. No… Just kidding. Dan and I have known each other from where I grew up on the Gold Coast in Australia. I met Jahphet through my pal Jah Jah from NY band Ninjasonik. And the rest is a love story of grandiose proportions.
How long have you guys been together? About 3 years.
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Considering the ridiculous situations we voluntarily put ourselves in. I’d say excellente. We did live in each others pockets touring for about 18 months straight, living on floors, in each others grills suffering every style problem a touring band goes through. No sleep or money at times. Living in vans and airport floors. Perhaps a little too hectic substance consumption and all the associated insanity. But most of the time we just laugh together about the awesomeness of being able to travel the world and get paid to do a project thats is 100% ours and in no way compromised.
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Hell yeah, until they kick me out.
What makes your relationship work? I think overall we are all pretty chill. But the biggest thing I think is that whenever there has been an issue one of us will apologize and we move on. No grudges.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? One of us got a leg each, and the other the smelly butt and crotch region I guess.
To get more info on The Death Set click here.
The Lovers
Names: Christopher Paul “Jack” Sachs and Luis Gustavo Santi Jr.
Occupations: Luis: I build websites Jack: Filmmaker
Years in New York: Jack: 4 Luis: 1
How did you guys meet? Luis: I keep calling it a karaoke bar but it is mostly not. Trash bar karaoke night. Long story short, after several sake shots, a friend of a friend invited me to go to a birthday party that Jack ended up being a part of. We met because I decided to gregariously make friends with the guy that was sitting next to me, his name being Jack. Jack: And then I kissed him.
How long have you guys been together? It will be 10 months in July.
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Luis: Gay. Jack: Mario.
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Jack: I think of this place as home now, but- Luis: We make a lot of plans that involve escaping, mainly Spain.
What makes your relationship work? We complement each other – I’m a little bit hip hop, he’s a little bit rock n’ roll.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? Luis: We enjoy not wearing pants, if at all possible. Jack: Though we both like a good pair of jeans.
The Exes
Names: Mary Beatrice Brockman and Mark Christopher Straiton
Occupations: Mark: Shop boy, Kill Devil Hill, disc jockey, bartender, bouncer and entertainer Mary: Shop girl, Kill Devil Hill, volunteer painter, seamstress, and graphic designer
Years in New York: Mary: Three years this time, and 3 years another time Mark : Twelve years
How did you guys meet? By shaking hands
How long have you guys been together? A lady never tells her age.
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Patina
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Mark: New York, New York it’s a hell of a town. Mary: Until tomorrow
What makes your relationship work? Work?
Who wears the pants in the relationship? Mary: I wear Mark’s pants. Mark: I don’t wear Mary’s pants
Check out Kill Devil Hill here.
The Siblings
Names: Yael and Amit Greenberg
Occupations: Yael: Assistant to regional director of nightlife and promotion for Morgans Hotel Group Amit: Artist
Years in New York: Yael: Three and a half. I moved following Amit. Amit: Six I moved waiting for Yael
How did you guys meet? Yael: I was born, and there he was…
How long have you guys been together? Twenty five years in October
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Eternal. No matter what, where or when – we will always be together in mind and soul. Even if we go through things or drift apart for a moment, I know that he will always be there for me, its one of those things that never change. It’s very comforting.
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Yes! New York is what brought us together again as adults.
What makes your relationship work? The back and forth, the ups and downs, the give and take.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? Yael: Me. but Amit always has nicer pants.
The Davieros
Names: Anessa and Henry Daviero and Virgil Foxbury Daviero
Occupations: Anessa: Haircutter Henry: Bartender/Waiter
Years in New York: Seven
How did you guys meet? Henry: We kinda knew each other through mutual friends, but I decided to break the ice one night and chat her up. I bought her a slice of pizza and she didn’t talk to me for the rest of the night. That’s when I knew she was the girl for me. Anessa: Yeah he made me too nervous I couldn’t talk to him or eat the pizza I think. But finally our friend Kim had him came to my pad so they could exchange art portfolios, and the romance began.
How long have you guys been together? Since 1999
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Passionate
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Anessa: Ooh who knows… Henry: Where do you go from the top of the garbage heap?
What makes your relationship work? Henry: Compassion, Focus, Selflessness, doing laundry together. Anessa: And cooking together!
Who wears the pants in the relationship? Anessa: Virgil Henry: We usually go Porky Pig style.
The Roomies
Names: Will McGinn and Chris Hall
Occupations: Chris: Math Teacher Will: Merchant/Stylist
Years in New York: 3
How did you guys meet? We were in the same dorm our freshman year of college at Notre Dame.
How long have you guys been together? We’ve been friends since college, but we’ve lived together for the past two years.
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Easy
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Of course - We’ve got a lot to do yet!
What makes your relationship work? We don’t take each other too seriously. We know what’s important and what’s not.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? Oh, we don’t wear pants – we wear jorts.
The Buddies
Names: Fred Attenborough and Kweighbaye Kotee
Occupations: Kweighbaye: Writer,Film Festival Director and HR Assistant Fred: Freelance Photographer and Graphic Designer
Years in New York: Fred: 3 Kweighbaye: 9
How did you guys meet? Outdoors, by chance. It was the Bushwick Film Festival at LumenHouse, Fred was walking by. He had just picked up a couple of tacos, it was hot and he had cut off shorts on. I had on a new pair of pumps; we were almost the same height. I invited him in for a beer. Eight hours later we were BFFs!
How long have you guys been together? Our One year anniversary is in two months… You should come to the party!
In one word how would you describe your relationship? Rococo
Do you see yourselves staying in New York? Forever? Probably not. Freddy thinks New York is not really a practical place to be when it comes to family and kids. Have u seen those kids? They are crazy. But we both love it and if we don’t come back to New York, we will definitely take this town with us wherever we go.
What makes your relationship work? Super free, crazy social beings and fun is our philosophy.
Who wears the pants in the relationship? We both were pants and skirts!
oh my god i love it… everyone looks great. annessa looks so pretty! where is you and amber??/?
Love this series!
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