Spiritual America

Spiritual America (1983–84)

Artist-run LES storefront (Oct 28, 1983–Mar 1984) at 5 Rivington St., founded by Kim Fine. Debut site for Richard Prince’s rephotograph of Brooke Shields.

  • Address: 5 Rivington St., NYC (Lower East Side)
  • Run: Oct 28, 1983 – Mar 1984 (irregular / appointment-only)
  • Founder/host: Kim (Kimberly) Fine
  • Notable work: Richard Prince’s rephotograph of Brooke Shields (after Gary Gross)

Timeline

  1. Oct 28, 1983 — Opening of Prince/Shield(s) rephoto (black windows/walls; code “TESTIMONY”).
  2. Nov–Dec 1983 — Peter Nadin, Still Life; readings and fruit.
  3. Dec 31, 1983 — Walter Robinson red-paper murals (removed next day).
  4. Feb 1–21, 1984 — POP (Koons, Charlesworth, Lawler, McCollum, Sherman, Prince).

Notes & claims (attributed)

  • Pre-opening C&D calls (Gross’s counsel); then appointment-only viewing from Fine’s flat.
  • Early print price ~US$150; anecdotal AP traded for plumbing (Prince blog).