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Introduction
The year 1969 truly was "one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind”. This year was extremely influential across a multitude of topics; that being said, my virtual exhibit will predominantly revolve around the musical and pop culture influence of the year along with the messages these icons were sending. -
Intro Pt. 2
Most of these notorious artists did not explicitly mention their political agenda, yet their expressions of freedom and individuality within their music and fashion styles sent a mention to the youth. The world was evolving fast in the late 60s, faster than some people felt comfortable adapting to. -
Intro Pt. 3
Whether it was the Apollo missions, the introduction of the Boeing 747 and the Pontiac Firebird, the Manson cult murders, or even the launch of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) there was always something one could read in the newspaper or watch on TV. Throughout the exhibit, an individual may realize that the purpose is not only to inform the audience on happenings in this important year but also to provide some context to what a young adult would have experienced and felt. -
Intro Pt. 4
This is all a result of rapid change in not only the music and pop culture industry but also from a socio-political standpoint as well. These facts alone help us to reach our main research question while digressing from other significant events that happened during a similar time frame. How did the advancements of music and technology push a political agenda to young people/adults throughout the year 1969? -
Intro Pt. 5
An abundance of bands and artists either knowingly or indirectly was the result of this innovative and creative push amongst teenagers and young adults. The leading groups and individuals to name a few included The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, CCR, The Rolling Stone, and the Grateful Dead. 1969 was a very important year and influenced all sorts of reform across all categories of everyday life. -
Intro Pt. 6
Although I did not live through the year I feel that one can better understand how young adults were brought up during this time. This understanding would be the result of research of the outside factors that would have affected one's character development through pop culture portrayal and political agenda during the year. 1969 was the time to explore individuality and self-expression. It is known that strong characters worldwide were developed in correlation to a creative burst of unique icons. -
Intro Pt. 7
The music and culture surrounding this era are very encouraging overall and I have devoted numerous hours doing outside research by listening to songs, watching cinema, and reading to expand my knowledge on this important subject. The aim of the exhibit is for the audience to be able to explore their own individuality and interests through the significant events of this year during a time where technological advancements and ethical acceptance was pushed through the influence of leading artists -
Grateful Dead at Fillmore West 1969 - Morning Dew
The Grateful Dead is a band that gained popularity during the mid 1960s and flourished to become one of the successful touring bands in the history of music despite their group having very few radio hits. The Dead were founded in the San Francisco area amidst the escalation of counter culture music in the 1960’s. The band was extremely popular and influential; they also brandished a cult-like following known as the “Deadheads”. -
Grateful Dead at Fillmore West 1969 - Morning Dew (Pt. 2)
The original “Morning Dew” was written by Bonnie Dobson in 1962 and later revamped by Jerry Garcia and the rest of the crew in 1967. The song's lyrics are detailing the aftermath of nuclear war and represent a dialogue between a distressed man and a woman. While the song was not explicitly pushing a political agenda it did convey an idea that these lyrics may be a reality if countries don't learn to agree and reject the killing of human lives along with the idea of war in itself. -
Grateful Dead at Fillmore West 1969 - Morning Dew (Pt. 3)
Although the audience at the concert may not have been able to pick up the sub lying message, it is obvious that the Grateful Dead knew what they were singing. This subtle promotion is also proven through a numerous number of different artists who have contributed their own variations as well. Slightly unrelated but this is also my favorite song. -
An Aquarian Exposition At Woodstock 1969 "Airlift Help"
August 15th, 1969 may go down as the most influential concert of all time. On a relatively small dairy farm in Bethel, New York a festival called Woodstock was scheduled for the next three days. It is said that opus had to be there to feel this overwhelming sense of unity between the audience in a time where the country was at war. The concert was known as “An Aquarian Experience: 3 days of Peace and Music”. -
An Aquarian Exposition At Woodstock 1969 "Airlift Help" (Pt. 2)
The festival became so popular that tickets and barriers could not hold the crowd and the concert became free. This photo shows the level of comradery that was established during these three days. After the venue ran out of food and water within hours they had no choice but to airlift materials as shown in the exhibit. A helicopter was necessary as all roads in and out of Bethel were completely jam-packed with cars and vans of excited music fans. -
An Aquarian Exposition At Woodstock 1969 "Airlift Help" (Pt. 3)
The picture helps demonstrate how a group of 350,000+ people were able to come together and make the festival happen. Despite everything that should have made Woodstock into a complete and utter disaster it succeeded which sent a huge message to the rest of the country about coming together in unity. -
Drugs and the Young
This exhibit is in response to the festival as a whole and supposed to address concerned parents of attendees as well as of young adults in general. The graphic in itself depicts a young man with very vibrant colors filling his brain and the surrounding background. Although drugs were prevalent at the festival this photo suggests that the youth that enjoys the music and culture also indulges in potentially psychoactive experiences which is clearly a blatantly biased suggestion. -
Drugs and the Young (Pt. 2)
At the moment I imagine this persuaded a feeling of fear to adults and parents of this time period as the article and graphic were published in Time Magazine. -
Bibliography
Crandall, Robert S. “Record Drugs and the Young: Collections Search Center, Smithsonian Institution.” Record Drugs and the Young | Collections Search Center, Smithsonian Institution. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Time magazine, 1969. https://collections.si.edu/search/detail/edanmdm:npg_NPG.78.TC46?q=drugs%2Band%2Bthe%2Byoung%2Bwoodstock&record=1&hlterm=drugs%2Band%2Bthe%2Byoung%2Bwoodstock. -
Bibliography Pt. 2
Law, Lisa. “Record Airlift Help. Woodstock Festival, Bethel, NY. August 17, 1969: Collections Center, Smithsonian Institution.” Record Airlift help. Woodstock Festival, Bethel, NY. August 17, 1969 | Collections Search Center, Smithsonian Institution. John Paul Mitchell Systems/National Museum of American History, 1998. https://collections.si.edu/search/detail/edanmdm:nmah_892580?q=woodstock&dsort=title&fq=date%3A%221960s%22&record=20&hlterm=woodstock&inline=true. -
Bibliography Pt. 3
Morning Dew (Live at Fillmore West February 28, 1969). YouTube. YouTube, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJV1geGGkXA. The total word of the Introduction should be 500 words.