'This Is My Home': Inside Anthony Pisano's Enchanting East Village Antique Shop Apartment (VIDEO)

One warm night in Manhattan, filmmakers Kelsey Holtaway and Mark Cersosimo mistook an old man's apartment near Tompkins Square for an antique shop:

"As we began to walk in, a man sitting out front warned us that we were welcome to explore, but nothing inside was for sale. Our interests piqued, we began to browse through the collections the man out front had built throughout his life. This is a story of a man and his home."

The resulting film is a short, sweet tour of Anthony Pisano's apartment, filled to the brim with photos and curious bric-a-brac. Pisano is happy to show off the space, in fact, it's what brings him his greatest joy.

"A lot of senior citizens feel that they've been discarded," he says, "but when people stop in front of my place, they bring life to me because they're recognizing me in a sense."

Pisano then speaks to the importance of talking to people, and reminisces about the time his apartment saved the relationship of an arguing couple.

And so, if the video charms you the way it charmed us, go on down to Tompkins Square Park and bring some life to Anthony. The weather's just warm enough that he might be outside.

[VIA]

This Is My Home from Mark on Vimeo.

Comments

[sankarvasudha]

10:22 AM on 05/31/2012

Could anyone give me the address please! Where in East Village is it?

[cityprole]

12:01 PM on 02/27/2012

I hope that anyone with such a lovely attitude towards life will have a long and happy time here on Earth..and if nothing else, all the rest of us not from New York but blind believers in it's reputation for rudeness will see this vid and take it to heart..
This gentle man makes a visit to NY a pleasant thought...

[straightuptalker]

05:10 AM on 02/25/2012

Maybe Mr. Pisano will be encouraged to sell some of his collectibles, and his place will actually become an antique shop. He encourages people to go in and browse, but nothing's for sale. What's he gonna do with all that stuff, and who will be the custodian, after he's gone? Once we reach a certain age, I think we have to consider de-cluttering, particularly if there are no relatives or family members who would be interested in having some of it for posterity. I worry about that in my own situation. I think it's time to have a tag sale.

[jonnyquest]

08:24 PM on 02/23/2012

I've walked past his apartment many times, the man is a gem, god bless him.

[CaroleK1970]

04:36 PM on 02/23/2012

this is called 'hoarding'

[stroobs]

06:20 AM on 02/24/2012

Turn off the tv.

[ThreeCatNight]

04:12 PM on 02/23/2012

He gives to people, and they give to him. What a lovely, reciprocal relationship. An interesting 'home', full of beautiful and interesting things. I love antiques; always have. When he says he's the 'caretaker', he's absolutely right, and everything is lovingly displayed. A warm and charming man; an urban philosopher. Certainly makes me want to visit and talk with him for a while. So nice to read and see.

[VKoval]

04:08 PM on 02/23/2012

ii actually lived on that block last month. its on 10th street between 1st and A.

[Sara Libby]

03:57 PM on 02/23/2012

I could spend a day or two--maybe even three in there--Yep

[UserNameJane]

03:31 PM on 02/23/2012

Very refreshinng, I love love old antiques, I would love to spend a few hours there.

[JDHARTIL]

02:43 PM on 02/23/2012

What a delightful interlude in this mad, frantic world.