I was introduced to the films of Kenneth Anger (1927 – 2023) as part of my graduate curriculum. As I was developing exhibitions for public viewing, I recognized the intrinsic value to present a wide spectrum of vintage and contemporary films that would showcase different genres and orientations.
One film, in particular, caught my attention: Scorpio Rising (1964)! Anger’s visual lexicon was immediately recognizable in advertising, cinema, and pop culture. His influence on such iconic films as Easy Rider (1969), George Lucas’ American Graffiti (1973), and Martin Scorsese’s Mean Streets (1973) is undeniable. From pop music videos to fashion houses and queer iconography, Anger’s imprint extends across various artistic expressions. His celebration of male beauty, fashion as a symbol of seduction and sexuality, and his provocative use of imagery made a retrospective of his work essential to my curation.
In the 1960s, Anger was one of several avant-garde filmmakers who gained national attention as the counter-culture movement grew in popularity. His films provided a raw and unapologetic glimpse into underground subcultures, and his camera lovingly captured objects, infusing them with erotic and iconic significance. Scorpio Rising garnered particular attention after a Los Angeles theater manager was found guilty of obscenity for screening it in 1964. The brief flashes of nudity and unabashed homoeroticism were revolutionary and unorthodox, solidifying Anger’s place among the intelligentsia.
Per Anger, “Making a movie is like casting a spell.” He certainly cast his spell on me, as well as generations of creatives across industries. The Kenneth Anger Retrospective included Fireworks (1947), Puce Moment (1949), Rabbit’s Moon (1950), Inauguration of the Pleasure Dome( 1954), Kustom Kar Kommando (1955), Invocation of My Demon Brother (1969) and Lucifer Rising (1972) to provide a comprehensive exploration into his film style, technique and daringness.
Good Reads:
The Devil in the Details: Kenneth Anger, Artnet News
The Kult of Kenneth Anger, Sleek Magazine
Kenneth Anger: Icons, MOCA
The Visionary Cinema of Kenneth Anger, Retrofuturista
Above Featured Image: Film still from Scorpio Rising | Below: Scorpio Rising, 28 minutes, Kenneth Anger