Mainstream press framed happenings as trivial beatnik novelty dismissed by serious critics

Evidence

Time investigated “an obscure basement gallery in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village” where visitors “trooped from room to room, artfully littered with nets and old bottles, the walls splashed with weird designs and slogans,” pondering “a new kind of art show that was half picture and half theater.” Albeit “ignored by the serious critics, [the happenings were] thoroughly enjoyed by uncritical crowds.” The newsweekly’s verdict: “It was beat, man … Real children might do better.” — J. Hoberman, Everything Is Now, 136

Categorization

• SHARE: Time’s dismissive verdict ‘It was beat, man… Real children might do better’ is exactly the kind of press-clipping gem to share with anyone writing about how mainstream media first met the downtown scene.