Ann Cohen with Jesse Block
Fri. May 29th, 3pm
Many people believe the birth of the counterculture can be traced back to the San Francisco Oracle, which is why we chose it as CCM’s first special exhibition. The Oracle spoke to three major constituencies: the local Haight-Ashbury community, the burgeoning counterculture spreading across the country, and the response from around the world. The Oracle was the realization of its founder Allen Cohen’s dream of a rainbow-colored newspaper, and was instrumental in promoting major events like the Human Be-In and the Houseboat Summit held in Sausalito. Even today, visitors from far and wide descend upon the intersection of Haight & Ashbury in search of the roots of the counterculture.
Join Ann Cohen, widow of Allen Cohen, founder and editor of the SF Oracle, for a discussion of the Oracle drawing on Allen’s personal notes, and readings from his poetry. She’ll be joined by filmmaker Jesse Block, who’s chronicled these events and happenings on film.
Ann Cohen started drawing music and people around the Bay Area in the late eighties. Thousands of local and well-known bands, people in cafes and more have been drawn onto her drawing paper in her travels, many of which are published in her series of books I Do See You and other publications. Her adventures have taken her along the coastal route from San Francisco to British Columbia to overseas to Berlin, Paris, London, Iceland and beyond.
Ann’s late husband, Allen Cohen, was a well-known poet and editor, founder of the San Francisco Oracle. She illustrated two of Allen’s books of poems: Book of Hats and Like a Radiant White Dove, both published by Regent Press.
Jesse Block is a San Francisco based director, videographer and editor. He has directed episodes on broadcast programs such as BET’s Jazz Central, Sci Fi Channel’s The Anti-Gravity Room, and ABC’s Live From The Starlight Room. His documentaries include Brotherly Jazz: The Words and Music of the Heath Brothers, The Dragon Master Showcase and PBS’s New Year’s Special – Hot Tuna 25 Years and Runnin’ and John Cippollina – Electric Guitarslinger. His documentary footage covers many important moments of counterculture history, including the Human Be-In, and a vast array of musicians. He’s currently working on a film about the Big Five poster artists: Wes Wilson, Victor Moscoso, Rick Griffin, Stanley ‘Mouse’ Miller and Alton Kelley.
