Introduction

In 1973 there was reason for optimism. Political norms, while still ignorant to much of the injustice woven into the historical fabric of American life, still existed and provided a reasonable common ground and precedent. Our political leaders could be held to account and our friends and family were not irreparably lost to lies and conspiracy theories. The grand narrative of an “American Dream” still felt attainable for most. 

In America inflation had tripled from 3.4% to 9.6% and put an end to post-World War II economic expansion. To make matters worse, 1973 marked the beginning of a recession in the U.S. and Europe that lasted until 1975. Watergate hearings began and Richard Nixon told the nation in November: “I am not a crook.” The burdens of living in a consumer society became painfully apparent to most households. Corruption in the highest office was mediated to the general public as entertainment. TV became the democratized medium and established our problematic relationships with screens. 

In some circles there was cause for hope. The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973, ending U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Women were onestep close to be equally citizens. In a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court (Roe vs. Wade) abortion was legalized. And though there is much progress to be made, black, brown, and indigenous communities began to emerge from a white shadow blinding us to centuries of injustice. These social and political shifts shaped culture into more inclusive picture of our true potential.  Forty-eight years later we can see the positive and negative patterns that were established.

The following synthesis is focused on the aesthetics, cultural structures and political conditions of the 70’s – with an emphasis on the artifacts and ideas that emerged in the year 1973. The goal of this project is to understand how culture and politics have shaped my aesthetic preferences and socio-political biases.