The Artist in the Counterculture: Bruce Conner to Mike Kelley and Other Tales from the Edge

The 1960s counterculture in California had a significant impact on West Coast artists, who channeled their experiences into their art. Thomas Crow's book "The Artist in the Counterculture" reevaluates key figures such as Bruce Conner, Corita Kent, and Emory Douglas and explores the enduring influence of the countercultures on modern art. Younger practitioners of performance and installation carried the mindset of rebellion into the 1970s and 1980s, with artists of color moving to the forefront in Los Angeles.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The 1960s hold a unique allure in the realm of modern art, captivating the attention of artists and enthusiasts alike. However, most narratives fail to fully acknowledge the profound influence of the youth culture, largely incubated in California, on the artists who emerged during that decade. As a prime exemplar, Bruce Conner reminisced about his experiences in the Haight-Ashbury in 1967, stating, "I did everything that everybody did in 1967. . . . I would take peyote and walk out in the streets." Conner's artistic expression vividly captured the essence of those experiences, leaving an indelible mark on every aspect of the psychedelic movement. From the mountains of Mexico alongside Timothy Leary to the rock ballrooms of San Francisco and the opulent excesses of New Hollywood, he played a pivotal role in shaping the psychedelic landscape.

In his book titled "The Artist in the Counterculture," Thomas Crow delves into the rich tapestry of California art from the 1960s to the 1980s, recognizing it as some of the most groundbreaking and influential work produced during that period. Crow argues that understanding California art in isolation from the new possibilities of thinking and feeling unleashed by the counterculture is incomplete. He reevaluates key figures such as Bruce Conner, Corita Kent, Emory Douglas, and Bonnie Ora Sherk, placing them within a generational cohort driven by resistance to war, racial oppression, and environmental degradation. Younger practitioners of performance and installation, influenced by the rebellious spirit of their predecessors, carried the mindset of rebellion into the 1970s and 1980s. Artists of color, previously excluded from the mainstream art scene, began to gain prominence in Los Angeles, further contributing to the evolving landscape.

Contemporary artist Mike Kelley, who witnessed the flourishing of the late countercultural movement at the beginning of his career, remained steadfast in his commitment to the values and aesthetics of that era. The result is a comprehensive and groundbreaking account of the enduring influence of the countercultures on modern art. This book sheds light on the profound connections between the rebellious spirit of the 1960s and 1970s and the artistic expressions that emerged, shaping the course of art history for generations to come.

Dimension: 254 x 191 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691236162