MUSGEN 3005 - Village Voices - Greenwich Village in the 1960s

This course explores one of the most culturally fertile and vibrant eras of recent times (the 1960s) by focussing on a location (Greenwich Village, New York) that was a hub of artistic experimentation and collaboration, against a background of social change and political turmoil. The course will explore the emergence of new art forms - both 'high art' and popular - and the dynamic interactions between artists in different disciplines, with a particular focus on music. The ability to read music or play an instrument is not required for this course. Topics include: The Avant Garde: John Cage, Morton Feldman, Edgard Varese, Merce Cunningham, Robert Rauschenberg, Judson Dance Theatre; Poetry in Action: political activism in the work of Bob Dylan, Allen Ginsberg and The New York School; Less is More: minimalism in the arts and music: Phil Glass, Steve Reich, La Monte; Young, Phil Niblock, Sol LeWitt, Jasper Johns, Robert Morris, Donald Judd; Happenings, Fluxus and Conceptual Art: Allan Kaprow, George Maciunas, George Brecht, Philip Corner, Jonas Mekas, Harry Smith, Underground Cinema; Pop Art and Art Rock: Andy Warhol, The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, The Fugs; Jazz at the Village Vanguard: Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor and Free Jazz.