First off, Happy Fourth of July!
Coming July 7th, Laurence Miller Gallery in New York City will join the nationwide celebration of Woodstock's 40th birthday with an exhibition of photographs by Burk Uzzle, one of my favorite photographers, who became LIFE's youngest contract photographer at the ripe age of 23. Uzzle will have about 25 vintage, modern, and color prints from the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. He is the foremost photographer of arguably the most peaceful assemblage of over 300,000 persons ever.
He shot the festival from the vantage point of a participant. The photographs are beautiful and create images which focus on the details of living, existence and enjoyment of this sea of humanity which was as dense as a carpet of wildflowers in a meadow, rather than simple documentation -- it truly captures the spirit of the festival, and ultimately, an era. In an America rife with racial tension and at war in Vietnam, Woodstock defined the culture of a generation, a message of hope for a brighter and more peaceful future.
On that note, have peaceful and happy fourth of July everyone.
xx
