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Art and its influences can often be linked to the historic moments happening at the time of a piece’s creation. Join art historian Matthew Palczynski for his latest online series examining the art of a specific decade. In this lecture, we will take a look at the transitional events of the 1970s. In some ways, the 1970s was two decades, one dominated by Vietnam and Watergate at the beginning, and a nation in transition in its aftermath. Against a backdrop of the energy crisis and inflation peaking at around 14% at the end of the decade, art and design nonetheless boldly busted out. Roe v. Wade encouraged a decade full of fascinating art by women about women, and boundary-breaking became associated in art and design with the “elongated,” in everything from long hair to long jeans, Halston gowns, the sprawling 70s ranch house, disco poses and yes, elongated art. And all of it was chic.

General Notes

"Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1970s" (#25235) on June 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT is in a series of four lectures held on Mondays in June 2025. To learn about art of other decades, we invite you to enroll in "Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1910s" (#25199) on June 2, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT, "Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1930s" (#25233) on June 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT, "Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1950s" (#25217) on June 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT, and "Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1970s" (#25235) on June 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT, each at a cost of $25 per lecture. Your online lecture will take place live over the course of 1-2 hours. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly. This live online experience uses Zoom Webinar, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. You will receive a confirmation email when you enroll, and a reminder email one week and one day before, as well as the morning of the event with a link and instructions on how to tune in. You will not be pictured on screen during the lecture, but you will have the opportunity to ask the instructor live questions using the Q&A box. Unless otherwise noted, all those who enroll in this program receive access to the live event as well as a recording of the lecture that you can watch any time within the two weeks following the live event.

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Matthew Palczynski

Matthew Palczynski is an art history lecturer, consultant, curator, and educator. With a Ph.D. in art history and a focus on vanguard art after around 1850, he leads programs for academic, corporate, and nonprofit organizations around the world. His talks include those for Renaissance Weekend, Stanford University, The Wharton School, Cunard, and United Airlines. Matt is an adjunct senior instructor at The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and has taught at the Tyler School of Art since 2004.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Matthew Palczynski View biography

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Online Lecture: Eras in American Art & Culture — the 1970s

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