Watch Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists

Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists is a documentary film that explores the artistic movement that rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s in Chicago. The film focuses on a group of artists known as the Chicago Imagists, who developed a unique and fantastical style that was inspired by popular culture, comic books, and unconventional sources.

The film delves into the history of the movement, tracing its origins back to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the early 1960s. It covers the early work of artists like Jim Nutt, Karl Wirsum, and Gladys Nilsson, who later became known as the Hairy Who as well as other members of the Chicago Imagists group.

The Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists were known for their exuberant, colorful, and often humorous approach to art. They were inspired by the comics that they read as children, as well as by the artistic traditions of other cultures, such as African art and Japanese woodcuts. Their work was characterized by bold, graphic images that featured bright colors, convoluted shapes, and bizarre figures.

The film includes interviews with the artists themselves, as well as with critics, curators, and historians who offer insight into the significance of the movement. The art historian and critic, James Elkins, for example, discusses the way in which the Hairy Who and the Chicago Imagists subverted the conventions of high art in order to create something new and exciting.

The film also features interviews with contemporary artists who have been influenced by the Chicago Imagists. Jeff Koons, for example, discusses the importance of these artists in his own development, while Kelley Walker and Chris Ofili speak about the legacy of the movement as a whole.

Throughout the film, viewers are treated to a rich assortment of images from the Hairy Who and the Chicago Imagists, including paintings, sculptures, and multimedia works from all of the major players. The film's visuals are often accompanied by upbeat jazz and rock music, which helps to create a lively and energetic atmosphere.

Ultimately, Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists is a celebration of a movement that has had a profound impact on contemporary art. It offers a fascinating look at a group of artists who were unafraid to take risks, to challenge tradition, and to push the boundaries of what was possible in art. For anyone with an interest in the history of American art or in the cultural scene of the 1960s and 1970s, this is a film that should not be missed.

Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists is a 2015 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 9.0.