In Case You Missed It: Jerry de Wilde's Counterculture Photography

In Case You Missed It: Jerry de Wilde's Counterculture Photography of the 1960s and 1970s

A Book Talk in the PRS Library

In Case You Missed It: Counterculture Photography of the 1960s and 1970s presents a stunning portrait of an era that lit up briefly but brightly—Los Angeles in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Capturing the imagination of modern filmmakers and cultural tastemakers, this period of iconic imagery, changing social landscape, and free love in Los Angeles has sparked renewed interest through its representation in films like Licorice Pizza and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Eclectic, politically active, and filled with flowing fabrics in a rainbow of hues, the photography of de Wilde captures how a vibrant time in Los Angeles shifted the view of the city as it moved into a new era of awareness and enlightenment.

Jerry de Wilde, aka “Dok,” moved from his birthplace in Brooklyn, NY, to Los Angeles in 1960 after graduating from Columbia University. While studying theater, he was introduced to fine art photographer Robert Frank in 1964. De Wilde went on to work with Frank as a camera assistant and production coordinator on films like Chappaqua and Me and My Brother. During this time, Frank became a friend and mentor, encouraging de Wilde to shift his focus from acting to photography, challenging him to think about photography not so much as pretty pictures but rather to expand his thinking and reflect on what his pictures were about.

De Wilde’s photographs provide a rich and intimate look at the American countercultural scene, from “the Farm” where he lived above Warner Bros. Studios and photographed his friends experimenting with tie dye, to wider cultural events and art happenings, love-ins, anti-war demonstrations, Monterey Pop, and the March on Washington. In Case You Missed It touches art, music, fashion, and politics, but also friendship, family, and community—an examination of life.

Jerry de Wilde was born in Brooklyn, NY, where he lived until he left to attend college at Columbia University in 1955. In late spring of 1965, he and friend, Anton Greene, an artist and filmmaker, rented the old 46-acre Barham Ranch in the hills above Warner Bros. Studios in Los Angeles. Over the next seven to eight years it became known as "The Farm," a creative environment that was a notorious haven for actors, writers, musicians, artists, designers, filmmakers and poets with something to say. In 1992, de Wilde was invited to be an associate professor of fine art photography at Woodbury University where he taught for seven years. Most recently he has been photographing and printing large and medium format black and white abstract landscapes shot mostly in the American Southwest and Scotland.

Text for this book was edited by Jessica Hundley and the design is by Thunderwing.

Tickets: $10 (in person only event)

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ABOUT YesterdayLA

This July, the Philosophical Research Society celebrates our beloved city’s rich and diverse past with YesterdayLA, a month-long exploration of unique stories and works of art that have become part of the fabric of Los Angeles history. The landscape of our city is changing faster than ever before. By examining the LA of yesterday, we invite Angelenos to gather together to not only look back but forward to the possibilities of our great city’s tomorrow.

Throughout its 90+ year history The Philosophical Research Society has stood as a sanctuary for those seeking truth and enlightenment, with its doors open to Angelenos who have created great works of art and innovation, political movements, and spiritual evolutions across the eras. YesterdayLA will explore the fascinating stories of our city’s past with the continued spirit of curiosity that has stood as the pillar of PRS’s mission.