I am celebrating today, Friday the 13th of September 2024, the 50th anniversary of a humorous performance art event, the New Depression, that was staged by conceptual artist Lowell Darling and comedy writer Stuart Birnbaum on Friday the 13th of September 1974 on the corner of Hollywood and Vine.
Elisa, Stuart, Susan, Lowell, Les-1974
I was there as a friend to photograph it.
Stuart Birnbaum © Elisa Leonelli 1974
A press release written by Stuart called this day Black Friday, referring to the Black Thursday (October 24, 1929) and the Black Tuesday (October 29, 1929) of the Wall Street Crash that started the Great Depression.
Lowell Darling © Elisa Leonelli 1974
A one story window was erected so people could jump from it to their death, “recalling the days when many a ruined businessman dived from skyscrapers into the streets beIow, crowded with the unemployed.”
Breadline © Elisa Leonelli 1984
Giant letters that spelled out the word DEPRESSION were cut from the pages of the Wall Street Journal, and participants held them up while forming a Breadline to be offered bagels.
Jeff Ehrhart © Elisa Leonelli 1974
A (T)rumpeting Fool (Jeff Ehrhart) was collecting $1.89, while playing the notes of the depression era song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (adjusted for inflation).
Lowell Darling, Stuart Birnbaum © Elisa Leonelli 1974
Spokesman Les Carter said: “We want this to be a positive depression, not leave it in the hands of politicos that made the last one so depressing.”
Dr. Demento also participated sporting his signature top hat.
Dr Demento, Stuart, Susan, Les, Lowell, Jeff (c) Elisa Leonelli 1974
This fun event was covered by every TV News Channel in Los Angeles and broadcast that night. A video recording of the coverage was shown at the Long Beach Museum of Art as part of an exhibit devoted to Lowell Darling. Lowell famously ran for Governor of California in 1978 and again in 2010.
Lowell Darling (c) Elisa Leonelli 1974
How are you doing now, dear Lowell? Please let us know, we love you.