http://www.nme.com/news/joy-division/85889
The man who recently bought the former home of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis has spoken to NME about his ambitions and intent behind turning the property into a museum.
Tel Aviv-based businessman Hadar Goldman, 48, spent a total of £190,000 on the two-bedroom house at 77 Barton Street, Macclesfield, where Curtis died in 1980. Goldman has previously spoken of his wish to "raise awareness of one of the most seminal bands in the history of contemporary music" with the museum, but now, speaking in this week's issue, available digitally and on newsstands now, Goldman delves into the plans in greater detail.
On first hearing the news back in February that Curtis' former home was being listed for sale, Goldman describes "listening to the radio in my car approaching Paris" and instantly knowing that he had to "jump on the idea and chase it like a lunatic". Despite being informed by the estate agent that the owner had already found a buyer, Goldman claims to have responded by saying: "Screw the buyer! What’s the point of it being just somewhere to drink, eat, shit when it’s a special place?"
Goldman does regret one part of his eager pursuit of the property, however. "Looking back, I made one mistake in all of this," he said. "When I was carried away I messaged Ian Curtis’ daughter, Natalie, via Facebook. She ignored me - I think she blocked me - and I respect that. She only was a year old when he died. She grew up without a dad. I now realise that it was trespassing to ask for her help."
Despite former Joy Division guitarist Bernard Sumner describing the project as "ghoulish" and a "monument to suicide", Goldman remains adamant that his plans are respectful and positive. Describing Sumner's comments as "100 per cent bullshit", Goldman added: "I don’t want it to be a memorial. I want it to be a living thing; a factory that produces – a catalyst for art and creativity, not a gothic shrine. That’s how you take tragedy and create something positive."
Goldman continued: "I can collaborate with the fans and turn it into the place it should be. You can call it a museum, but it could also be a gallery or somewhere for young musicians to record. Not everybody can travel to Macclesfield, so I want to connect it online somehow... If you really love an artist, you are called for duty. I don’t want to sound like a pathetic new-age bastard, but things happen for a reason... Ian Curtis' house is going to be a creativity centre and that was the aim."
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