Carl Hultberg, formerly of East Fourth Street in the East Village and now residing in New Hampshire, has published a five-volume set of monographs titled “Garden of Eden: The Eco Eighties in New York City.” This collection, which focuses largely on Hultberg’s photography, highlights the Village and Lower East Side’s ecological activism during the 1980s. The work is published by Ragtime Society Press, a nod to Hultberg’s heritage as the grandson of renowned jazz critic Rudi Blesh.
The 1980s, often remembered for their political conservatism, also witnessed a burgeoning of ecological awareness and activism beneath the mainstream surface. Hultberg was an active participant in this movement, involving himself in initiatives like the Village Green Recycling Team and the nascent New York Greens, which aimed to establish a Green Party in the city.
The volumes cover various facets of this era’s activism, from the New York Greens and community gardening efforts, led by figures like Adam Purple, to experiments in bicycle and human-powered vehicle design, and the push for urban cycling and recycling. These grassroots efforts, documented in “Garden of Eden,” were instrumental in pressuring New York City to adopt official recycling programs and other environmental initiatives.
Hultberg’s work also touches on the broader implications of these movements, such as the struggle against gentrification and the transformation of public spaces. The narrative is punctuated by personal anecdotes, including protests against early instances of neighborhood gentrification.
The publication of “Garden of Eden” serves as a testament to a period of vibrant ecological activism in New York City, emphasizing the profound impact of grassroots efforts on the city’s environmental policies and urban landscape. Hultberg’s collection is a reminder of the origins of many now-mainstream environmental practices and the ongoing tension between grassroots initiatives and corporate or bureaucratic adoption.
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