---
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, September 7, 1995
5A
Exhibit portrays real 1950s
By Craig Lang Kansan staff writer
Submitted photo
It's an America that wasn't captured in the pages of Life magazine.
In 1955 and 1966, the Swiss-born artist Robert Frank took his camera to nearly all 48 contiguous states. He produced more than 20,000 black-and-white photographs of a post-war America with variations in race, class and ethnic background.
From those 20,000 images, 84 pictures were put together and published in France in 1958 in a book entitled "Les Americas." In 1959, the book was published in the United States under the name "The Americans."
Although that book has been out of print for a long time, photos from the collection are on display through Sept. 24 at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art & Design, 4420 Warwick Boulevard in Kansas City. Mo. The event is free.
"The Parade," which is shown above, is one of Robert Frank's photographs on display at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art & Design.
Barbara Bloemink, the museum's executive director, said Frank's photos were different from the 1950s America often portrayed in the media.
"Generally the photos one sees of America in the 1950s is perfectly polished women and clean-cut all-American nuclear families living in a perfect little house," she said.
Bloemink said Frank captured ethnic and interest groups that were not normally seen in the 1950s media.
Michelle Bolton, public relation and publications manager for the museum, said Frank's photographs were criticized for their content and style. She said they were grainy, blurry and sometimes lacked complete subjects because of their unusual cropping.
Frank also portrayed America as a lonely and alienated country, Bolton said, which is "a more truthful version of what we looked like at that time."
Bolton said Frank's images suggested that cars, televisions, gas stations and diners were the true icons of American culture of the 1950s.
Bloemink said this exhibit had been very personal to a lot of visitors. She said many people had left remarks in the comment book expressing appreciation of the images' reality.
"People have been overwhelmingly touched by this show," she said. "I didn't expect the personal reactions to this exhibit."
Bolton said this tour coincided with the publication of a new edition of "The Americans."
"This tour presents an opportunity to introduce Robert Frank's work to a new generation of Americans," she said.
NiteOwls faces second lawsuit
By Scott Worthington Kansan staff writer
The owner of the building that houses NiteOwls, Lawrence's clothing-optional bar, has filed another lawsuit stating that NiteOwls owner, Jeff Wallace, has breached the lease.
On Friday, Plaza Properties, Ltd., filed a suit in Douglas County court alleging that Wallace owed $2,000 in rent and breached the lease by not providing proof of liability insurance and by making the club clothing-optional.
Rex Redlingshafer, the attorney representing Plaza Properties, Ltd., sent a notice in July to Wallace. The
The notice states that at no time did Wallace indicate the club would be clothing-optional. According to the notice, Wallace was given 30 days to conform to the lease or be evicted. The 30-day period expired at the beginning of September, which led Plaza Properties, Ltd. to
notice states that Wallace had said he would operate a singles social club for the "organizing of social functions for its members with whom common interests are shared." The notice states Wallace said activities at the club would "range from nightly on-premise dance lessons to the renting of a ballroom or hall for a singles dance."
Redlingshafer was unavailable for comment yesterday.
Wallace has until Sept. 21 to confirm or deny the allegations of the lawsuit.
file suit.
Wallace could not be contacted.
Wallace could not be contacted. According to NiteOwl's answering machine message, the establishment is still open for business.
Plaza Properties, Ltd., filed a lawsuit in early August alleging that Wallace owed $2,000 in rent for the months of July and August.
NiteOwl, which is located at 804 W. 24th St., opened in July amid controversy. Patrons are not required to wear clothes in the club.
We Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign USED & New Sports Equipment
841-PLAY
1029 Massachusetts
The place to go for COOL NEAT CHEAP stuff - within easy walking distance from campus stop in...
THE STUFF:
· Top 10 titles really cheap - every day
· Great import selection - CDs from all over Europe & Asia
· Serious rap and alternative collection
· Used CDs - we trade & sell!
· T-Shirts
· We also stock a variety of Cable TV and Phone Accessories ...and more...
Enjoy a FREE cup of Coffee while you shop!
Sale prices good for two weeks from publication date.
Rusted Root
Rancid
1199 CD
7.99 CASS
Dave Matthews Band
Pink Floyd Tribute
First Floor Unit 12
911 Massachusetts Street
832-0055
E-mail: vibrations@delphi.com
C'mondown to the
(formerly the 18th Amendment)
1340 OHIO
842-9273
WEDNESDAYS
$1ANYTHING
THURSDAYS DISCONIGHT WITH DJSCOTT SIMPSON NO COVER FOR LADIES
FRIDAYS $2.50 PITCHERS
1344 Tennessee
842-9845
Mondays $275 Pitchers
Tuesdays 25¢ Draws
Thursdays $1 Anything
Wednesdays $150 BIG BEERS
Friday Afternoons at DABULL $125 Cans
Saturdays $1 Kami Shots