The Sangha from Katowice and the American Reverie
Anna L. J. Markowska
Art In Translation July 2, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/17561310.2024.2432786 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that American counterculture influenced Polish underground art and spirituality in Katowice during the 1970s, particularly through the Oneiron collective and the introduction of Buddhism via Philip Kapleau's visit. |
Abstract
Abstract Interest in American counterculture extended well beyond the visual appeal of psychedelic art. It offered an alternative not only to the hierarchical and aspirational nature of high modernism but also to the burgeoning consumerism in Poland during the Edward Gierek decade (1970–1980). The soulful art of the Katowice collective “Oneiron” forged its own unique path, in part, through its connections with America. A significant moment came with Philip Kapleau’s visit to Poland in 1975, marking a turning point in the development of Buddhism within the Katowice underground. Even before that pivotal year, various spiritual explorations had already begun in Katowice, including Love-In gatherings modeled after those in America.