Last thursday evening John and Mckim Stropes organized another “Avant Garde” gathering of individuals interested in ’60s poets, musicians, photographers, and artists. The meeting included both young and old. We gathered in the beautiful, historic Green Hall on the UW Milwaukee campus. These events are part of the Avant Garde Coffeehouse Research Project sponsored by the Guitar focus within the Music Department, Peck School of the Arts at UW Milwaukee. The project — including an Exhibition at the Inova (Institute of Visual Arts) gallery, the theatrical production Meet Me at the Avant Garde, the Class, and the development of the Avant Garde Coffeehouse Facebook page — has thus far resulted in remarkable community involvement, an outpouring of archival materials, and offers by individuals and institutions to participate in the continuation and expansion of this project.
For this particular meeting I contributed a display of my Negative Movement Posters, Flyers and News Articles. This material represented some of my earliest graphic design and photography. The Negative Movement was cofounded by Dennis Brulc, George Johnson and myself to bring independently produced films to Milwaukee; and at a time when the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee did not even have a film or photography department within the Art School:
I also brought the collection of poetry chap books — which I contributed cover designs and other graphics to — along with tear sheets from my news photography of the decade between 1964 and 1974:
This lovely evening provided an opportunity for elders and youngsters to mingle and exchange potentially valuable cultural stories; while reviewing archival material from an exciting decade of the last century.
I look at these young people and remember when we were them. I wonder what they think of us – then – and now.
And the elders certainly did their share of reminiscing too:
View the complete gallery of the evening’s event here
Leica M8, 28 mm Summicron Asph or 50 mm Summilux Asph
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What memories I have of being a teenager and hanging out at the Avant Garde. Thought we were too cool. Happy times.