This 8.5 x 11-inch flyer, designed by Barbara Rubin, advertises a series of avant-garde events held from February 18 to March 2, 1966. The flyer originates from Jonas Mekas’ personal collection and includes a handwritten letter of authenticity, tying it directly to the influential filmmaker and cultural archivist. Rubin’s design reflects the experimental ethos of the mid-1960s underground art and music scenes, blending countercultural aesthetics with an emphasis on creative collaboration.
The flyer’s central motif is a vibrant, butterfly-shaped design filled with swirling, handwritten text listing the events and participants. Among the featured acts is The Velvet Underground, participating in what is intriguingly described as “The Dental Destruction of Chairs and Mass Mental Concentration Against Furniture by Movies.” This quirky phrase encapsulates the avant-garde and irreverent spirit of the happenings, blending live music, performance art, and film into a cohesive, immersive experience.
The flyer also advertises Gato Barbieri Quintet and The Free Spirits, with notable participants including Larry Coryell and Bob Moses. The detailed text extends to other performers, contributors, and experimental filmmakers like Andy Warhol, Angus MacLise, and Gerard Malanga, further highlighting the collaborative, interdisciplinary nature of the event.
Printed on bold yellow paper with vivid red ink, the flyer commands attention with its intricate design and free-form typography. It exemplifies Rubin’s creative sensibility and her ability to capture the experimental energy of the era through visual art.
This flyer is not just a piece of memorabilia but a testament to the innovative, collaborative spirit that defined 1960s underground art and culture. Its association with Jonas Mekas and Barbara Rubin underscores its historical significance as a snapshot of a transformative moment in avant-garde art and music history.