Beat Cafe

October 6-November 14, 2008

C33 Gallery
33 East Congress Parkway

Gallery hours:
Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Opening Reception
October 16, 5-8 p.m.

Inspired by Beat era coffee houses, the multimedia exhibition, Beat Café, showcases the radio/audio-based work of students from the Radio Department at Columbia College Chicago. Exploring the social and cultural context of the Beat Movement, this exhibition makes connections from the 1950’s movement to contemporary culture. The Beat Café invites visitor participation and provides a venue for public presentations and readings, including a live performance of The Spirit of ’14, Jack Kerouac’s only radio play. The Beat Café is a collaboration of the Radio Department and the Arts, Entertainment & Media Management Department (AEMM). Co-curated by Dave Berner (Radio) and Robert Blandford (AEMM), the exhibition was developed and managed by AEMM graduate students.



In this 1959 photograph taken in New York City, composer/musician David Amram (top right) is seen with some of the artists, poets and writers who would become the leaders of "The Beat Generation."  They include (clockwise from Amram): poet Allen Ginsburg, writer Gregory Corso (back to camera), artist Larry Rivers and author Jack Kerouac. Photo: John Cohen, Courtesy of david amram