Jay and Ricki Blakesberg On Becoming Stewards of the Grateful Dead’s Visual History
The exhibition "An American Beauty: Grateful Dead 1965-1995," curated by Jay and Ricki Blakesberg, recently opened at the David Kordansky Gallery in New York. This collection features over 20 large-scale prints and numerous smaller works by various photographers who documented the Grateful Dead's journey from the Haight-Ashbury era through the years of Jerry Garcia. The exhibition carries a poignant tone, particularly following the recent passing of band member Bob Weir, which adds a reflective quality to the visual narrative. The Blakesbergs have a deep connection to the Grateful Dead's visual history, with Jay recalling how the project evolved from a fan show in San Francisco to a significant exhibition and book collaboration with Kordansky. Their careful curation emphasizes a "less is more" philosophy, focusing on powerful images that encapsulate the band's story from its inception until Garcia's death in 1995. Among the notable contributors is Ron Rakow, the band's former manager and an amateur photographer whose intimate snapshots reveal the band's early days. The Blakesbergs have unearthed a treasure trove of previously unseen photographs, enriching the narrative of this iconic band. Their commitment to preserving these images through the Retro Photo Archive reflects a dedication to honoring the legacy of both the photographers and the Grateful Dead.
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