Hello Spy Vibers! I hope everyone is well and staying safe. The Spy Vibe book has been progressing along nicely. I've been devoting this week to a few films that drew heavily on the international Fine Art scene. It's been super fun to research some of the major exhibitions that were happening in New York, London, and Paris in the early 1960s, and to see how new visual ideas then made their way into cinema. I even made new discoveries concerning some on-screen art that I was always curious about. More details to come! In the meantime, I think we could use some Vasarely magic about now. Born on April 9, 1906, this Hungarian-French artist was considered the godfather of Op Art. With works like Chess Board (1935) and Zebra (1937), he began to distill forms into geometric patterns and build the language of Op that would become more prominent in the 1950s and 1960s. Vasarely died in 1996 at the age of ninety. Check out the official website to see images from his long career. You can also learn about him on the Op Art website. The graphics in the image below, with its hypnotic patterns, prominent ring, and sunglasses could be a scene from The 1,000 Eyes of Dr. Mabuse.
Greetings, Spy Vibers! I recently posted about some of the essential roots of rock and roll that took shape in the ruckus noise of British jazz clubs in the 1950s and early 1960s. One key player was Trad bandleader, Chris Barber, whose long career bridging New Orleans-style jazz with Skiffle, blues, gospel, and early rock has made him a kind of George Bailey in the culture. For those who never saw It's a Wonderful Life (see it- it's an amazing film), George Bailey was a character played by James Stewart, who learned that his own good efforts in the community played a crucial role in building the social fabric. Well, Barber has been making a ruckus and wonderful noise ever since he and clarinetist Monty Sunshine started a band in 1953. He also helped to make a tremendous roar in the world of racing as an enthusiast and owner of the first Lotus Elite! Spy Vibers might appreciate the aesthetics. After Lotus created a number of prototypes, they launched the Elite Series I, chassis 1009 in 1958. The car was exhibited at the Earls Court Motor Show and purchased by Chris Barber. From Performance Car: "Barber raced the Elite extensively for five seasons in top level international sportscar racing, in both the UK and Europe. As well as competing in three consecutive Tourist Trophy races at Goodwood in 1961, 1962 and winning its class in 1963 with Mike Beckwith, the Elite raced at The Nürburgring and in the British Empire Trophy. During this period it was also driven regularly by Sir John Whitmore, the ‘Racing Baronet’, who famously broke the class lap record at Spa with ‘CB 23’ while on his way to class victory in the Grand Prix GT Support Race of 1962. Other notable drivers who drove the car include Bob Olthoff." Barber's Lotus was then kept off the road for about thirty years until it went through a restoration in 2016, and then sold at auction (for £121,500). Now it's going under the hammer once again with Silver Stone Auctions (between July 31-Aug 1). Check out the auction details for more history and mechanical specs. Barber also sponsored a cycling team in the 1960s and I've seen a "Sun Chris Barber 10" model bicycle appear in cycling forums. Between the constant touring and racing, I think he must have loved being in motion. With that in mind, I imagine retirement has been challenging. Sending good thoughts! Below: Barber's Lotus, race results, Chris with teams, and video promo of the 2016 restoration. And-a-one-and-a-two, vroom!
