Downtown New York: 1970s and 1980s Art and Film

Relive the exploding film scene of downtown Manhattan in the late 1970s and 1980s with film scholar Vera Dika and guest artists. This program highlights some of the challenging and at times controversial works that raise questions about a distinct moment in New York City culture. Take a closer look at ways that artists responded to the changing times—from the rise of new music and art forms to issues of civil rights and gender equality—in films that shift the boundaries between high art and popular culture.

On Friday, join Vera Dika and filmmaker Ericka Beckman, whose work is part of the exhibition Less Than One, for an enlightening discussion about the era’s vibrant downtown art scene, interspersed with short films.

Come back Saturday for two features selected by Dika: Lizzie Borden’s Born in Flames (1983) and Charlie Ahearn’s Wild Style (1983). After the screenings, join filmmakers Borden and Ahearn for a discussion of their work.