A few weeks ago, Red Fox Books, in Glens Falls, NY, announced the sad news that it would be closing, the victim of a particularly bad local economy and ebooks. Now St. Marks Bookstore, in NYC’s East Village, is threatened. I remember going to this store when it was still actually on St. Marks Place when I was visiting NYC in college; it was always a highlight of my trips and seemed like a portal to the world of the city and the life I wanted to live here. Some books from those trips still sit on my bookshelves. I’ve never completely cozied up to the store’s (relatively) new space on 3rd Avenue, which is very slick and modern and a little sterile, compared to the funky warmth of the old space. But the content of the shelves still can not be beat. There is currently a petition drive to ask Cooper Union, the shop’s landlord, to lower its rent so the store can survive. Peter Cooper founded Cooper Union–which still has free tuition–specifically to make education accessible; I hope the school will consider helping save a beloved local bookstore a part of that mission. I’ve signed the petition, and now I’m going to buy a book.
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
A Biographer's Blog 
As an “original” lower east side “Beat”, fim-maker, inter-media, fluxs/happenings in the area 1962-67. #1 On 3rd st, a Fluxus/happing space.#2 On 4th, next to the “5 Spot, a gallery of my own dada of “re-manufactured” toys,scupture, cartoons,, paintings,and clay sculpture, Nearby dine was giving away his plaster pies and cakes at “The Store”….
,,#3.On St.Marks The Bridge Underground” film theater
#4and above the “Dom” I premiered Andy Warhol’s “exploding Plastic Inevitable” With Nico” and the “Velvet Underground”
#5 1962 first solo show was at The Brata Gallery” part of the “tenth St. Group” Gloss black paintings, the reviewer “couldn’t see the paintings. because of the shiney surfaces!” Get a mirror!
#6 In 1964 my paintings were showing solo at Waddell Galler” on 57th St.
‘Surfaces of the noon flat on the floor so you could walk on it! Duh, did the reviewers like it, on Henry Geltzahler as my Woodstock, n.y. show in 65.
Anywat guys, I live in Snta Cruz a well booked City. As a former publisher. I appreciate the small and independent press world, I’ll be publishing a funny and insightful retracing my coureous path in “A Hitch Hikers Guide through the 60’s, art, beat,hip, activist ,fluxus ++” Look me up on face book, Bob Jon Liikala P.S. I’m setting up a “Talk/fluxus workshop” for 2012 after book.