FIREBIRD

CIRCA 1969 (Part III) : POP ART AND ICONS

Art as an institution was strengthened in 1969. The population became more expressive of their thoughts amidst an ambience of ‘open-mindedness’. Hence, that year, the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Canada, opens its doors to the public for the first time.

In Manila, the Cultural Center of the Philippines was formally inaugurated on September 8, 1969. Under the tutelage of the then First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, it was built to promote and preserve Filipino arts and culture. Its formal gala was attended by a number of international personalities, including the late California Governor Ronald Reagan (later became U.S. President) and wife Nancy. Hence, culture and arts was recognized as essential in nation building. At present, the CCP or now formally known as Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas , as an institution expands it’s work beyond the walls of the center. It now has satellite projects to the innermost places of the country to reach more people. Hence, there are more Filipinos to benefit from the showcasing of the best in Philippine art and culture.

There was a flourishing of creativity and new found freedom in the arts. The exploration of new grounds brought to the fore a renaissance of new art form such was the psychedelic art. It was in 1969 that startling innovations in the music world led to what our present generation listens to. Led Zeppilin I, an album considered by many to be one of the first in the heavy metal genre, was released. The record album ‘Stooges’ by Stooges was hailed as the birth of punk. According to music reviewer Patrick Lafonaine about this record album, “Simple yet incredibly daring for it's time. Their influence is immeasurable."

The highlights in the pop culture in 1969 are today’s classic and have evolved as icons of our time. The novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo was published. This timeless tale was later translated into film with several sequels and versions. This proved that it is truly a masterpiece. Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth and The French Lieutenant’s Woman by John Fowles were also published that year. The latter was made into film in the early 1980’s which starred Merryl Streep and Jeremy Irons.

In cinema, the film Easy Rider became an anthem to the hippie lifestyle of the ‘60s. This box-office hit from 1969 is an important pioneer of the American independent cinema movement, and a generational touchstone to boot. According to film critic Tom Keogh, “This film look a bit dated now, but it retains its original power, sense of daring, and epochal impact.” This was the birth of independent films, as opposed to mainstream/commercial films, or more popularly known today as ‘Indie films’.

The song Give Peace a Chance was recorded during the famous bed-in for peace by John Lennon. This song, the first single recorded solo by a Beatle, and released under the name Plastic Ono Band, is still a strong anthem for peace even today. Stevie Wonder’s "My Cherie Amore", and many other classic tunes we still hear today were top hits in 1969.

Talking about icons, The Beatles gave their last public performance on January 30, 1969, on the roof of Apple Records. On March 12, Paul McCartney married Linda Louise Eastman in London. A week later, on March 20, Beatle John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. Noteworthy, the bonds of these respective marriages proved to be for a lifetime when John Lennon was assassinated in 1980 and Linda Eastman-McCartney succumbed to breast cancer in 1998.

The Philippines’ Gloria Diaz was crowned as Miss Universe on July 19, 1969, a day before the Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Thus, a headline reads: “U.S.A. Conquered the Moon but the Philippines Conquered the Universe!” It was the first ever for the Philippines to win in this prestigious international beauty pageant. Since then, several Filipina beauty titlists followed in her footsteps and brought recognition and honor to the nation.

Icons are not limited to personages. Many of them are institution and events that are so much part of our life even today. Sesame Street premiered on the National Educational Television (NET) network on November 10, 1969. Not only in the U.S.A. did this alter the TV viewing habits of American children but of many children around the world. Coming from a multi-lingual country like the Philippines, we as children learned English from watching this most endearing program. When a native English speaker discovers my proficiency, I always credit Kermit, Cooky or Bigbird for being so. There is a personal nostalgia involve when talking about this program. It evokes certain memory of childhood that was either lost or thought about with fondness. Unfortunately, it is no longer aired here to the detriment of the young. It is not surprising that the English fluency among Filipinos has been declining in recent years.

We are a generation of fastfood eaters. Thus, by the late 1969, fastfood chain has become a multi-billion dollar industry in America. Joining this entrepreneurial bandwagon was Dave Thomas who opened his first restaurant in a former steakhouse in downtown Columbus, Ohio. He named the chain Wendy's after his 8-year-old daughter Melinda Lou (nicknamed Wendy by her siblings). Hence, this fastfood chain had expanded to cater to the taste of the world.

Other commercial milestones in 1969 include the beginning of construction of Walt Disney World and when Wal-Mart incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Today, Walt Disney World is among the popular attraction in the U.S. east coast. While Wal-Mart stores, after 40 years is the world's largest public corporation by revenue, according to the 2008 Fortune Global 500and can now be found in many countries around the world.

These events in 1969 are relevant to how we enjoy, learn and live life at the present. The artistic and cultural milestones of that year are today’s institutions. It is amazing to look back and wonder at the beginnings of those things that are very much part of our lifestyle today. Whether in entertainment, business or services, the success in any human endeavor lies in the catering to the timeless need and purpose of people from every era.