‘The Eye’ Magazine / The Château Cramirat Collection
The East Village Eye magazine, nicknamed ‘the Eye’, was a legendary monthly publication covering Manhattan’s gritty downtown culture (1979-1987). Infused with the post-punk ethos of the zeitgeist, it quickly sparked an explosion of groundbreaking creativity in art, music, and fashion that went beyond 14th Street to impact the entire world.
By capturing several influential scenes that were budding in the bohemian landscape of the Village, the Eye charted the rise of hip hop, graffiti, and punk indiscriminately, contributing to the meshing of NY’s cultural ingenuity in art, music, books, politics, fashion, street culture, and more.
The Eye chronicled the doings and musings of era-defining stars like Keith Haring, Iggy Pop, Beasty Boys, and Betsey Johnson. “There were performances, there was art, there was rock ’n’ roll, and people were just showing up and meeting each other,” recalled Leonard Abrams who was only 24 years old when he founded the mag.
The Eye’s irreverent, alternative tone and scope influenced other cultural news outlets in Manhattan’s East Village, including the popular Soho News and Village Voice, paving the way forward for future magazines that continued in its footsteps.
The Château Cramirat Collection is a treasure trove of art and design by philosopher Anna
Ravitzki and designer Dan Alexander, housed in a 12th-century Templar landmark in the
Valley of Mankind, Périgord, France.
Abrams, Leonard (editor); East Village Eye. Gala Summer Edition. Vol. III, No. 18. New York: Eye Productions, 1981.
