Photographs of the1970’s American suburbs by Jamaica RPCV Bill Owens resulted in the now cult status book, Suburbia, which was originally published in 1973



Photographs of the1970’s American suburbs by Jamaica RPCV Bill Owens resulted in the now cult status book, Suburbia, which was originally published in 1973

Bill Owens: SUBURBIA
October 25 – November 30, 2002

Artist Reception
Friday, October 25 from 6 – 8 PM

Photographs of the1970’s American suburbs by Bill Owens resulted in the now cult status book, Suburbia, which was originally published in 1973. This book documents a mixture of families living in their newly built tract housing thirty years ago. Photographs from this important essay are featured in the exhibition at PHOTOGRAPHS DO NOT BEND gallery.

After World War II, Bill Levitt developed the concept of building cities like Ford produced cars. His Levitt Town in New York appealed to a new middle class that demanded affordable housing and a better living environment for their children. Factory built houses sprung up across the nation by the millions. Bill Owens documented one of these cookie cutter towns, Sunsetown, in California, the subject of this exhibition.

These photographs reflect the lifestyle of that new middle class. Rows and rows of housing that look the same, but inside each family leaves their individual mark. Families with disposable incomes moved into their bright new future and started filling their new, empty homes with furniture, wall decorations, tv sets, and of course new cars – the ultimate status symbol. Remember shag carpeting, avocado colored appliances, block parties, neighborhood fireworks and Tupperware Parties? All are featured in this group of photographs that were originally meant to respectfully document the new bourgeois.

This new way of life had its criticism. They thought suburban lives would become as indistinct as the housing they lived in. Some say it is worse now than ever. A new system of values and desires developed that resulted in the suburban mall and cinemas, the dependence on automobiles, fast-food restaurants and concrete freeway systems that exceed the imaginings of 50 years ago.

PHOTOGRAPHS DO NOT BEND gallery is pleased to present this extraordinary photography exhibit and to also have Bill Owens here for the opening reception. Owens will also give a lecture about this series of photographs at the University of Texas at Dallas on Saturday evening, October 26th, 7 PM at Jonsson Performance Hall, Richardson, Texas. Details regarding the lecture are below.

Bill Owens: Suburbia
Artist lecture, sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities, UTD.
Saturday, October 26, 2002 @ 7 PM
Jonsson Performance Hall of the
University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The World's Broken Promise to our Children Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.

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December 25, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Soldiers of Peace 23 Dec Nepal RPCV discovers new species of catfish 23 Dec Tom Murphy will not seek 4th term as Pittsburgh mayor 22 Dec Richard Celeste is spicing things up 22 Dec Gov. Jim Doyle streamlines state government 22 Dec Namibia Volunteers sworn in 21 Dec RPCV serves as Ukraine election observer 21 Dec Christmas Gifts for Peace Corps Volunteers 21 Dec Estonia RPCV John Isles wins NEA poetry award 21 Dec Director Vasquez decries racism and discrimination 20 Dec RPCV criticizes "harrassment by Russian government" 20 Dec War's horrors turn RPCV's son into pacifist 19 Dec more top stories...

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Changing of the Guard With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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