By Laura Angus, media relations assistant
It all started with a class at Oakland University in the 1980s. That led to an independent study between Roy Kotynek, now professor emeritus of history, and John Cohassey, CAS ‘90. This led to shared research, and a lengthy professional relationship. The culmination of all of these years of work was released this month, as the book “American Culture Rebels: Avant Garde and Bohemian Artists.”
The book focuses on American artists from all disciples and their influence on counter culture movements from the 1850s through the 1960s. It starts with transcendentalists Thoreau and Emerson, and ends with Allen Ginsburg, Bob Dylan and The Doors. In between, they discuss Georgia O’Keefe, Ezra Pound, Ken Kesey, Walt Whitman, Jack Kerouac and many more.
“It’s really quite a major survey,” Kotynek said.
He said the book is meant to be readable and thorough, so readers can enjoy it on both academic and layperson levels.
In 1989, Cohassey took an independent study course on American counter cultures with Kotynek and that’s where the idea for the book began. Kotynek said they started talking seriously about writing this book seven or eight years ago.
They spent years researching and planning the work, and in Aug. 2004, when Kotynek retired from OU, they had a lot of time to work on the writing.
This is the first work published by Kotynek. Cohassey is a published author. His first book, “Toast of the Town: The Life and Times of Sunnie Wilson,” was released in 1998. Both were consultants for a program called “Hippies” on the History Channel.
“American Cultural Rebels” focuses on avant garde artists and how they have influenced counter culture, and then the mainstream culture, Kotynek said. It gives details about the artists’ lifestyles and influences as well.
“Since the early 19th century, young people that didn’t relate to their parents sought out creative people and would identify with artists,” Kotynek said. “They were looking for an alternative lifestyle.”
Cohassey said at first, there weren’t many publishers interested in the book idea. He and Kotynek decided to move forward because they knew there was a need for something like this.
“We’re going to take a gamble, we decided,” Cohassey said. “We were going to be avant garde.”
He said they did it to teach and share knowledge.
“We did it without grants. We did it without borrowing any money,” Cohassey said. “It was hard to do.”
During the upcoming months, the writers will be doing book signings and other promotional events. They also have an idea in the works for another book.
For more information, visit the America Avant Garde publisher Web site for the book. It can be ordered online or purchased at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, 4454 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Mich.; Mayflower Metaphysical Bookshop, 2645 WE. 12 Mile Rd., Berkley, Mich., (248) 547-8227; Unabridged Bookstore, 3251 North Broadway, Chicago, Illinois; and Balcony Books, 216 South Broad Street, Holly, Mich.