“This Side of Paradise”

The art of filmographer Jonas Mekas By Mister Lee Many of us would give anything to return to that period of your childhood, where your perception of your environment and everything in it was as pristine as a hidden ocean cove. This invaluable feeling is embodied in Jonas Mekas' "This Side of Paradise" and it's depiction of Jackie Kennedy and sister Lee Radziwill's families during the early 1970's. Although, not all share the privilege of renting Andy Warhol's Montauk get away home, with his occasional presence; most can relate to euphoric feeling of the freedom of summer combined with the unrestrained spirit of youth. In Mekas's diaries he speaks freely on how he fostered a relationship with the iconic families. At the time, Jackie Onasis wanted to ease her children's transition of life without a father and felt to introduce the art of film making to them. Artist, Peter Beard, who was an art history tutor to the children, introduced Mekas to the family and the rest is what you see in the collection. Mekas captures the universal good-natured emotions produced from the fellowship of loved ones, which each one of can empathize with. Catch the final days of the exhibit on view till October 30, 2011: agnes b Galerie Boutique 50 Howard Street (btw Mercer and Broadway) NYC 10013 http://jonasmekasfilms.com/diary/ http://www.agnesb.com/50howardstreet/index.html

OWN magazine  10/20/2011 14:07 EDT