The East Village Eye

The East Village Eye was a monthly alternative newspaper published in New York City from 1979 to 1987, covering the East Village neighborhood and its vibrant art scene, including the works of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Kenny Scharf. The publication was known for its eclectic mix of music, fashion, and politics, featuring interviews with notable figures such as Andy Warhol, David Byrne, and Debbie Harry. As a hub for downtown Manhattan's creative community, The East Village Eye played a significant role in promoting the careers of emerging artists, including Eric Haze, Fab 5 Freddy, and Lady Pink. The newspaper's influence extended beyond the East Village, with contributions from writers and artists associated with the Punk rock movement, such as Richard Hell, Patti Smith, and The Ramones.

● History

The East Village Eye was launched in 1979, a time of great creative ferment in the East Village, with the Punk rock movement in full swing and the Hip hop scene beginning to emerge. The newspaper's early years coincided with the rise of Club 57, a nightclub and art space that showcased the work of performance artists like Ann Magnuson and John Sex. As the publication grew in popularity, it began to feature interviews with prominent figures from the art world, including Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Cy Twombly. The East Village Eye also covered the music scene in New York City, with reviews of performances by The Clash, The Sex Pistols, and Blondie. The newspaper's coverage of the fashion world included features on designers like Vivienne Westwood, Malcolm McLaren, and Stephen Sprouse.

● Founding_and_Early_Years

The East Village Eye was founded by Leonard Abrams, a journalist and editor who had previously worked for The Village Voice. Abrams was joined by a team of writers and editors, including Cathay Che, David Hershkovits, and Legs McNeil, who would go on to become prominent figures in the New York City media scene. In its early years, the newspaper focused on covering the East Village's thriving art scene, with features on galleries like Fun Gallery and Civilian Warfare. The East Village Eye also covered the music scene in New York City, with reviews of performances by The Dead Boys, The Heartbreakers, and Television. The newspaper's early issues included interviews with notable figures like William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, and Andy Warhol.

● Content_and_Coverage

The East Village Eye was known for its eclectic mix of content, which included music reviews, fashion features, and art criticism. The newspaper covered a wide range of topics, from the Punk rock movement to the Hip hop scene, and featured interviews with notable figures like Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and The Cold Crush Brothers. The East Village Eye also included coverage of politics and social issues, with features on topics like gentrification, homelessness, and AIDS activism. The newspaper's fashion section featured designs by Stephen Sprouse, Anna Sui, and Marc Jacobs, and included interviews with models like Janice Dickinson and Jerry Hall. The East Village Eye's art section covered the work of graffiti artists like Taki 183, Cornbread, and Cool "Disco" Dan, and featured interviews with gallery owners like Ivan Karp and Tony Shafrazi.

● Impact_and_Influence

The East Village Eye had a significant impact on the New York City art scene, helping to promote the careers of emerging artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Kenny Scharf. The newspaper's coverage of the Punk rock movement and the Hip hop scene helped to bring these genres to a wider audience, and featured interviews with notable figures like Debbie Harry, David Byrne, and Fab 5 Freddy. The East Village Eye's influence extended beyond the East Village, with contributions from writers and artists associated with the Punk rock movement, such as Richard Hell, Patti Smith, and The Ramones. The newspaper's fashion section helped to launch the careers of designers like Anna Sui and Marc Jacobs, and featured interviews with models like Janice Dickinson and Jerry Hall. The East Village Eye's art section covered the work of graffiti artists like Taki 183, Cornbread, and Cool "Disco" Dan, and featured interviews with gallery owners like Ivan Karp and Tony Shafrazi.

● Notable_Contributors

The East Village Eye featured contributions from a wide range of notable writers and artists, including Legs McNeil, Cathay Che, and David Hershkovits. The newspaper's music section included reviews and interviews by Robert Christgau, Village Voice music critic, and Glenn O'Brien, art critic and musician. The East Village Eye's fashion section featured designs by Stephen Sprouse, Anna Sui, and Marc Jacobs, and included interviews with models like Janice Dickinson and Jerry Hall. The newspaper's art section covered the work of graffiti artists like Taki 183, Cornbread, and Cool "Disco" Dan, and featured interviews with gallery owners like Ivan Karp and Tony Shafrazi. Other notable contributors to The East Village Eye included Eric Haze, Fab 5 Freddy, and Lady Pink, all of whom were associated with the Punk rock and Hip hop movements.

Category:Newspapers published in New York City