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| ABOUT TRaC |
Fast TRaC Spring 2005
East Village USA The eighties were a time for freedom of expression, from punk rock to the beginnings of hip hop. If a daily fix of VH1's I Love The 80's does not satisfy your need for eighties culture, then the "East Village USA" exhibit will definitely fulfill it. Not only does "East Village USA" educate us about the eighties counterculture art scene but it also brings us paintings ranging from the graffiti art form expressed in New York neighborhoods to art works that reveal the truths and hypocrisies of our society. As I walked down the steps of the New Museum into the exhibit, my attention immediately turned to Martin Wong's "Attorney Street." It is a painting of an urban handball court covered with graffiti; the edges of the piece include a poem that states we live in a world where not only are people corrupt but so is God. This painting sets the tone for the rest of the exhibit and is among many paintings that portray the art movement created by New York artists in the eighties. This piece in particular depicts one of many stories of the urban neighborhoods during this time. This exhibit was truly an educational experience. The themes depicted in the artworks truly show the viewer life in the eighties in New York City. From the squatters to the drug-obsessed, people in the 80's lived a life of excess and greed. Social morale was low and for artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat to actually express their ideas through art was difficult. In a place haunted by the threats of nuclear war and the rise of AIDS, it was hard for artists to freely create art and be rewarded for their work and intelligence. This exhibit brings together those artists who were forgotten during this period and shows their views of the Reagan era through different types of art. As you move through the exhibit, you come across "Truisms" by Jenny Holzer. This piece is a long poem that covers the wall from ceiling to floor and consists of statements like "Humanism is obsolete" and "Morals are for little people." This piece is littered with irony and has a sarcastic tone revealing how many people viewed life in the eighties. Along with many other works by graffiti artists such as Lady Pink and Crash, this piece also expresses beliefs held by different communities in New York at this time. One of the many impressive aspects of this exhibit is that it brings together artwork from different cultures across New York. You have pieces from graffiti artists such as Futura 2000 to pieces by Keith Haring and Basquiat whose work became famous through the East Village art scene. This exhibit is truly diverse: there are black and white photographs, provocative music videos and surrealist paintings. This show depicts the artistic diversity that existed during the time and thematically connects every piece. Al of the pieces show how life was during this time and how corruption and greed were starkly present in society. The diverse paintings and photographs deal with political issues: many of the pieces depict the immorality, greed and excess that existed during the eighties. The effects of a drug-obsessed society are clearly evident in many of the works. There is an entire room dedicated to works by artists who died of AIDS: this part of the exhibit serves as an emotional memorial to those great artists who were forgotten. Although the exhibit ends on a poignant note, "East Village USA" is a truly uplifting exhibit. It celebrates great art created during the eighties, much of which is forgotten when we analyze eighties culture. It really shows all the issues and problems faced by New Yorkers during this time. As a person who knows little about the eighties culture and art scene, I was greatly educated about the period's political and social issues.
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