Introduction to Jerry Vis Art

Fifty-five years ago, as a young artist, I was active in the alternative art movement from 1969 to 1976 in that scruffy corner of Manhattan, SoHo.

Of the ten original primary alternative spaces that existed at that time I was involved with two, Apple and 112 Greene Street Workshop where I did a number of solo works and participated in a several collaborative shows with Billy Apple and Geoff Hendricks at both Apple and 112 Greene, plus an extended collaboration work with Alec Nicolaescu on a four-part series that took place both outside New York City and at 112 Greene Street, in SoHo. As was typical of that time, the above works did not produce polished art objects, but rather took place in time, consisting of an initial installation that evolved over the course of the show on a daily basis. However  I did extensive documentation  through photography,  journal keeping, artifacts, concept drawings and notes which in some cases led to after show studio pieces.

     Mention of my work can be found in several publications: The 112 Greene Street Workshop, volume two and in the book from the 1981 show at the New Museum titled, Alternatives in Retrospect -an historical overview 1969 – 1975. Enclosed below are statements and photos from the New Museum book that pertain to pieces I did at Apple Gallery.

If you are interested in additional information about my work you can contact me at the following: my email address is viscottage@gmail.com,  web site is jerryvisart.com, on Instagram jerryvisart, or by phone 845-554-4485.

I thank you for  your time,

Jerry Vis

PS     I am currently working on a written piece about the motivations, intentions, and objectives of the Alternative Art movement in the early seventies from this artist’s point of view. Almost everything I have found while researching the subject spends an inordinate amount of effort being distracted by the unconventional gallery structure with very little discussion about the unconventional artwork or the unconventional artists that  in a seemingly brief few  moments evolved a coherent philosophy, a visual esthetic language and an alternative structure to the art world at large.