By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rivers increasingly experimented with video as a medium. He used consumer-grade and early professional video equipment to document his personal life, his family, and the changing cultural landscape of New York City. These video diaries ultimately culminated in several structured film projects, including Growing . The Context of 'Growing' (1981)
Unlike standard music documentaries, Growing is stylized as an "experimental video diary." Larry Rivers, known primarily as a painter, approached the film with an artist's eye. It captures The Hollies during a transitional period in the early 1980s. It features live performances, recording studio sessions, and behind-the-scenes footage. Notably, it captures the band’s reunion with original vocalist Allan Clarke and highlights their commercial resurgence, including their hit "Stop! In the Name of Love."
Themes: Growth, Authorship, and the Artistic Self At its core the film explores growth on multiple registers. There is the literal passage of time—physical aging and career evolution—but Rivers frames growth as an ongoing negotiation between public persona and interior life. He interrogates authorship: who controls the narrative of a life, and how does an artist’s image get shaped by critics, collectors, and popular attention? Documentary Growing suggests that maturation is not a linear ascent but an accumulation of revisions: revisions in style, in self-description, and in the audience’s reception. documentary growing 1981 larry rivers download updated
: NYU eventually refused to take possession of the Growing tapes, requesting the foundation remove them from the collection. Emma Tamburlini has since sought to have the footage returned to her custody to ensure it is never shown. Recent Legacy (2023)
intended for a 1981 exhibition, describing it as a document of his children's development. Controversy By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rivers
In the vast ocean of art history documentaries, there are towering titans (like Civilisation ) and then there are hidden gems—films that capture a specific chemical reaction of time, place, and personality. The 1981 documentary Growing falls squarely into the latter category. For decades, this intimate portrait of the legendary, provocative pop artist Larry Rivers has existed in a gray zone of copyright purgatory and physical media decay.
The documentary projects from around 1981 were crucial for capturing Rivers during a period of transition. These films often explored his "growing" influence and continued experimentation. Key Themes of the 1981 Era The Context of 'Growing' (1981) Unlike standard music
Because this film is a specialized documentary, it is not always available on major streaming platforms. However, there are ways to find updated, remastered, or restored versions for educational or personal use.
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. N.Y.U. Doesn't Want Film of Larry Rivers's Naked Daughters
The Institutional Reckoning: NYU and the Larry Rivers Estate