The Sixties

"It was the best of times it was the worst of times..." a quote from Charles Dickens novel a Tale of two Cities sets the tone for Richard Avedon's photography collection, The Sixties. The large black print is bold and overpowering giving the reader an unmistakable message of what this collection will bring. In Avedon's unabridged collection documenting the sixties with the addition of text by Doon Arbus, they help to reiterate in pictures and words the turbulent decade. Each person depicted in this photo collection represents a figure that played an important role in the shaping of America's history. The 1960's was a time of uncertainty, a generation full of people looking for a change, not only in the aspect of war and peace, but a change in the greater meaning of the word. In this unprecedented time of war, when the U.S. was torn apart by racial inequality, when America was in the midst of a revolutionary change in ideals; Richard Avedon was there to document. This is the astonishing beauty of The Sixties, the ability to reveal the inner most feelings of these prominent people, who inadvertently defined a decade. Many prominent recording artists rose to stardom in the sixties. Many of these artists were part of the "hippie" movement. Drugs were a large part of these ideals; ideals of free love and spiritual enlightenment. Many great recording artists of this time were fell into a life of drug addiction or substance abuse and in turn succumbed to early deaths. One of these artists was Janis Joplin. " I have like what anyone would call like, say, a loneliness, a loneliness of my own." (Richard Avedon, The sixties) Janis Joplin explains. Richard Avedons's photo unravels before the viewer's eyes, revealing an esoteric undertone that resonates a level of sadness. Through many other portraits Avedon successfully portrays the spirit of the sixties. Avedon is nothing short of a pioneer in the history of photography, and has produced some of the most memorable pieces of art, including this account.

What I liked about this book is how Avedon capturing glimpse of sixties atmosphere into his photographs. In this book he includes many famous celebrities from musicians to actress. Although this book has full frontal nudity, horrifying image of impact of war, sex and drugs scenes, it's really portraying "the truth" about sixties. The writings by Doon Arbus also related into Avedon's image, which is really helpful for the audience to understand what happened at those time period. If you really interested to know about rock and roll, politics and celebrities on the sixties, this book might be suited for you.

Okay, forgive my purple prose. But this book seems to evoke that kind of emotion, filled as it is with images of people at their most open, their most shocking and their most vulnerable...and yes, their most naked. If you are offended by nudity or just plain horrorific images, pass this one by. But if you want a glimpse of the 60s in all its countercultural glory (and naivete), buy this one. Read it. Look at the images and hear the voices of some of the people who were considered icons of the time. It was truly the best and worst of times (stealing from Dickens). But also a courageous moment in our collective history. I'm thankful that Avedon took photos throughout these years.

Before going into the merits of this book, let me caution readers that the book (and back cover) contain many images and written material that will shock and appall many including four-letter words and obscene gestures, undressed people portrayed for their shock value, and people involved in activities not often seen in public. If those things offend you, definitely avoid this book.In reviewing this book, I found it hard to separate my views of the sixties from my views about the book. I hope I have succeeded. The book is comprised of photographic images done by Richard Avedon and snippets of interviews with many of the subjects done by Doon Arbus, daughter of photographer Diane Arbus. The people portrayed in the book include the more bizarre public figures of that age. Their photographs speak eloquently about their lives and mental states. Their words have a hard time being as eloquent, because many of the people had few thoughts. In evaluating the book, I saw two significant weaknesses. First, I looked for who was missing. The book nods much more heavily to the counterculture than to the main culture. As a result, the story of the Sixties is biased by its focus, and misses the opportunity for making more interesting comparisons. If I were to show this to my children (which I would not do because of the material in it), they would get a highly inaccurate view of the sixties. Second, I looked for the quality of the photography. Clearly, there were some great photographs, but there were lots of pretty ordinary ones. Combining these perspectives caused me to grade the book down one star.The best part of the book was some "before" and "after" photography and interviewing with Bob Dylan. The before and after photographs of Frank Zappa were also interesting. Had the volume developed this theme more, it would have been much more valuable. Those who were the counterculture icons of the age could tell us a lot about the sixties by describing how they have changed.Midst the images of race, war, protest, sex, drugs, and rock, I would be remiss if I did not point out which Avedon photographs moved me. These included images of Louise Nevelson, Dao Dua, Paul McCartney, Dorothy Day, George Wallace with Jimmy Davis (his valet), Cesar Chavez, James Baldwin, a Napalm victim, and Truman Capote. Avedon drew from their souls into mine very powerfully. These photographs were very impressive. In fact, they were so impressive that they made the others seem more bare and uninspiring, which was undoubtedly part of the editorial purpose. If you were alive during the sixties, I suggest that you create your own annotated scrapbook of that period to share with your children and grandchildren. They will be enriched by your sharing of the images that were important to you, and what you thought about those images then . . . and what you think about them now. In this way, you may be able to successful transmit what was good about the sixties while

Moments ago this book arrived in the mail. As I sat on my floor and opened it's pages, I came to the photograph of Dorothy Day. I suddenly was overcome and burst into tears. Not from sadness or melancholy or loss, but from the Beauty and Honesty in this picture. It is amazing at a time when we are deluged with images, images that are used to sell and and decieve, to look upon images that merely reveal. Reveal truths which lie in the hearts of men and women. Thank you Richard Avedon ( and Doon Arbus) for following your hearts and making these pictures. For having the faith to pursue them, even if it made no sense to at the time. I feel this book has drawn a line on the wall and said no less than this. As a photographer, as a human being... this book is reminder to find and tell THE TRUTH.