40 Years After 1968–69 Protests, an Exhibition and Conversation with Tom Hayden, Bernardine Dohrn, Jamal Joseph & Josh Marshall

“These pictures are extraordinary. They capture the last couple of years of the 60s more closely than anything I know.” – Norman Mailer, 2005

What was the lasting impact of the 1960s on American politics and media? On October 30th, the Steven Kasher Gallery in Chelsea will open the exhibition David Fenton: Eye of the Revolution, a look back at Yippies, Black Panthers, Be-Ins, Weathermen, the Chicago 7, tear gas, protests, and the years that changed America forever.

Still in his teens in the late 60s, underground news photographer David Fenton—now CEO of a major public interest communications firm—photographed the passionate street protests and calculated mass media tactics that still shape U.S. politics and culture today. His photos appeared in anti-war and counter-cultural publications around the world, as well as in The New York Times, Life, Look, Newsweek and many others.

Fenton possessed both a police press pass and behind-the-scenes access to the leaders and celebrities of the era. David Fenton: Eye of the Revolution will feature over 75 photographs, including rare vintage prints. Join Fenton on a countercultural journey from Washington, D.C. to New York City, Oakland and Chicago with stops at Columbia, Yale and Berkeley looking at Civil Rights, the Peace Movement, Black Power, Women’s Liberation, Gay Rights, Hippies, Police Riots, Yippies. Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, Allen Ginsberg, John and Yoko, Black Panther leader Fred Hampton, Weathermen Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, and the pig who ran for President.

Since his employment at Liberation News Service, Fenton’s protest-driven view of the world has evolved into Fenton Communications, the nation’s largest progressive communications firm. With clients including MoveOn.org and Nelson Mandela, he is still pushing for change in the tradition of 40 years ago.

David Fenton: Eye of the Revolution will be on view October 30th through November 26th, 2008. Imagery can be viewed at www.stevenkasher.com.