The October “Art Special” issue of the East Village Eye confronts transformations within New York’s artistic landscape in the face of sociopolitical difficulties. A conversation with illustrator Sue Coe examines her role as a “social realist”, a mission intent on depicting conflict and contradiction through an honest, impartial lens. Articles investigate the surge of star-studded political exhibitions at “ABC No Rio, Fashion Moda, and on the streets” on the eve of the ‘84 presidential election. Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch discusses the process behind his 1984 film Stranger Than Paradise and “sundry other topics of prime interest”. Publications compiling works from Keith Haring and various other street artists are also featured. Music critic Jack Rabid asks of seminal punk band, Kraut, “Are they a hardcore band, and if so what does that mean?” Influential dancer-choreographers Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane discuss their upcoming performance, Secret Pastures at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. An illustration from artist-activist Keiko Bonk is featured as the issue’s centerfold.
