Founded by editor Leonard Abrams in 1979, the East Village Eye was an “avant-pop” hybrid magazine-newspaper dedicated to documenting the cultural discourse and happenings of the East Village. Each month until 1987, a rotating ensemble of contributors presented and discussed events, news, issues and notable persons involved in the energetic local art, music and fashion scenes. In fact, the publication was not merely a site to record the distinctive community’s goings-on, but actively shaped and added to the now infamous character and energy of the East Village in the 1980s. The East Village Eye featured artists such as Keith Haring, David Wojnarowicz, Barbara Kruger, Colab and Kiki Smith; musicians like Run DMC, Rock Steady Crew, Beasties Boys and Iggy Pop; and fashion designers and influencers Animal X, Patricia Field, Betsy Johnson and Manic Panic. This collection now functions as an invaluable “time capsule,” transporting readers to the bygone underground cultural scene of the East Village circa 1980.
The cover of the November 1982 issue displays Helmut Newton’s profile layered over one of his standing female nudes, her jugular exposed as she stretches a length of chain between her cuffed hands. To publicize the famous photographer’s new book Big Nudes (1981), T. X. Erbe interviews the famous photographer who keeps the conversation clipped and controversial. Over two pages, Newton renounces nudes, proclaims that he enjoys that a tennis court setting featured in the book evokes a concentration camp, and compares the look of American women to Chrysler auto-bodies. The issue also contains several significant news articles addressing the cultural backlash of the 1980s, including community disagreements about the classism and racism of a new housing development, and discussions about President Reagan’s proclaimed “war on drugs” and, what EVE has termed, the city’s “war on sex.” The magazine also features Bronx-based graffiti artist Phase 2 and presents possibly dubious natural and homeopathic medical advice from “Dr. Cookie Mueller.“ Harvey Wang creates his version of the United States on the centerfold, collaging a map of the US with humorous snapshots. Like usual, the EVE devotes plenty of space to arts, music, and theater coverage, including a profile of the well-known actor and writer Spalding Gray and a conversation with German director and actor Lothar Lambert. Like most issues, several columns catalogue recent neighborhood gossip, music shows and art exhibits with cheeky attitude.
