A New Vision of American Suburbs
At the end of the sixties, Bill Owens stood out as one of the most recognized photographers in the United States, thanks to his coverage of the protests against the Vietnam War and the tragic Altamont concert, where a young African-American man was murdered during the Rolling Stones performance.
At that time, Owens moved his family to a house outside Livermore, California, and decided to photograph his neighbors and friends to capture the seemingly idyllic and perfect life of the suburbs. In 1972, he published the acclaimed book Suburbia, which compiled 127 black and white snapshots, highlighting a peculiar lifestyle.
A Dream Turned into a Nightmare
The classic image of the single-family home surrounded by a lawn, garage and swimming pool has been popularized in various forms of art and entertainment, but behind this representation of the supposed American dream were hidden chiaroscuros that became the central axis of the Suburbia exhibition, which It was on display at the CCCB until September 2019.
It is often said that, on the surface, the suburbs were ideal places to raise children, with their green spaces, tranquility and security. However, as time passed, a completely different reality would be revealed.
The American Dream and its Evolution
The migration from cities to suburban areas driven by the expansion of the automobile brought with it an increase in pollution and the formation of a new social profile, commuters. This model of life was adopted by baby-boomers who returned from World War II in search of new opportunities, but behind the Sunday barbecues and sitcoms, hid a reality marked by racial segregation and discrimination.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a milestone in the fight for equality, but the practice proved to be a new catalyst for problems due to persistent racism in society at the time.
From a Dream to an Epic Nightmare
In a context of geopolitical and social changes, life in the suburbs became a nightmare, fueled by the fears and paranoia created by the system that promoted this supposed idyllic life. This transition was reflected in literature and cinema, with the appearance of the suburban gothic genre.
The exhibition features books and films that explore the decline of suburban life, along with the striking photographs of artists such as Gregory Crewdson, which highlight the nightmare of the American dream with subtle details that hide multiple interpretations.
Reflections and Future
The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the information presented, highlighting that, despite the challenges of the urban model, more and more European families are looking for their own version of the American dream in the housing estates on the outskirts of cities, in the middle of a context of drastic changes in society and the environment.
Finally, the exhibition raises shocking figures about the future of society, indicating that the United States will become a country of minorities in 2044, and that a high percentage of municipalities in the province of Barcelona present urban deficiencies. This call to action encourages viewers not to remain indifferent to the changes that are occurring in today’s society.