Explore Underground: American Avant-Garde Film & Experimental Cinema of the 1960s at Eye Filmmuseum

This autumn, Eye Filmmuseum highlights American avant-garde cinema of the 1960s with an exhibition and film program featuring iconic and lesser-known works. It showcases the era's vibrant experimental spirit and cinematic innovation against the backdrop of a changing society.

Eye Filmmuseum presents "Underground: American Avant-Garde Film in the 1960s," an exhibition delving into the revolutionary experiments of filmmakers who aimed to break free from the fetters of Hollywood and the dominant film industry to reinvent cinema as a visual medium. The program features both well-known and obscure works, reflecting the vibrant experimental spirit of the era. Highlights include films by pivotal avant-garde figures such as Jonas Mekas, Maya Deren, and Stan Brakhage, alongside contributions from prominent visual artists like Bruce Conner, Yayoi Kusama, Yoko Ono, and Andy Warhol. The exhibition showcases the diversity of transdisciplinary film experiments, from independent, unconventional films to expanded installations like Andy Warhol’s "Empire" (1964) and Stan VanDerBeek’s "Movie Mural" (1965-1968), the latter being screened in the Netherlands for the first time. Filmmaker Jonas Mekas, a spokesperson for the New American Cinema Group, captures the essence of this movement, stating, "We don’t want false, polished, slick films – we prefer them rough, unpolished, but alive; we don’t want rosy films: we want them the color of blood." The exhibition traces the emergence of experimental cinema in the US and the formation of collectives such as the New American Cinema Group (Film-Makers’ Cooperative), Fluxus, and Canyon Cinema. The program extends into Eye cinemas with screenings of longer 16mm films, explorations of the international context and lasting impact of New American Cinema, and discussions on the current political climate through the lens of 1960s underground cinema. A special spotlight is also given to psychedelic film.

The exhibition includes films, talks, and events. Guided tours are available on Sundays, with special tours for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors and students. Visitors are directed to purchase a valid exhibition ticket for tours, and further details may be available via the Eye Film Player or specific educational links. Specific ticketing prices or booking procedures beyond general admission are not detailed on this page, but access to tours is mentioned in conjunction with a ticket presentation or sign-up via email for specialized tours. A special tour for students of secondary school and higher education is also mentioned, with details provided via an educational link. Visitors interested in documentaries about pioneering experimental filmmakers can visit the Eye Film Player. In-cinema screenings accompany the exhibition and may require separate tickets or admission details as part of the overall program. Visitors are encouraged to consult specific event listings for detailed access requirements and schedules, as indicated by the presence of multiple related links and informational sections covering tours and the Eye Film Player. General museum admission might apply to access the exhibition, though this is not explicitly stated on the page; however, the availability of guided tours upon presentation of a valid exhibition ticket implies that the exhibition requires specific admission or is part of a ticketed program or museum entry. For specialized tours, including those for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors and students, sign-ups are available via [email protected], and specific educational programs are linked for student access. The Eye Film Player offers documentaries accessible through their platform. Given the range of activities and accompanying programs, visitors are advised to check individual event details or the museum's main ticketing page for comprehensive admission and booking information, as this page focuses primarily on the exhibition's content and related programming elements, including free guided tours offered on specific days and times, contingent on exhibition ticket holders or pre-registration for specialized tours. The page also mentions an "Eye Society" for support, suggesting a broader museum membership or support structure might be relevant for visitors. While general admission information is not explicitly detailed for the exhibition itself on this page, the provision of guided tours with the presentation of a valid exhibition ticket indicates that exhibition access requires a ticket. Information on how to obtain these tickets is not directly provided on this specific page, but the context suggests they can be purchased through the museum's standard channels, likely via their website or at the venue. The mention of the Eye Film Player implies digital access to content, which may have its own access model separate from or complementary to exhibition admission. Potential visitors should look for further links or navigate to the museum's main ticketing section for comprehensive details on admission fees and booking procedures for both the exhibition and associated events like film screenings and tours, as this page prioritizes content and contextual programming information. The dedicated links to educational programs and specific tour sign-ups indicate channels for specialized access and information, reinforcing the need for visitors to consult these resources for precise details regarding entry and participation in the exhibition and its related activities, as well as any associated costs or booking requirements that are not fully elaborated here, beyond the general mention of needing a valid exhibition ticket for guided tours.