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158.
UTOPIAN EYES: A JOURNAL OF UTOPIAN THOUGHT. A group of eight issues of the Kerista Commune's quarterly journal, focusing on the esoteric issues of lifestyle, communal living, and Keristan theory and practice. Published in San Francisco by Performing Arts Social Society between Summer 1975 and Winter 1980.
4to. Newsprint, each 44pp.-48pp. Illustrated with drawings, cartoons and photographs.
The Kerista Commune was an urban commune based in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco centred around the idea of independent learning, the creative use of technology, and the ideals of polyfidelity and non-monogamous lifestyles (see item #181).
i) Vol. 1, #3 (Summer 1975). Contents include: "Metamorphosis of a Group Mind"; "Creation of a People's Commune As Part of a Larger Utopian Socialist Movement"; "Far Out West Comics" (continues in later issues; see also item #161); "Transitional Celibacy"; recipes.
ii) Vol. 1, #4 (Autumn 1975). Contents include: "The Utopian Social Contract of Kerista" (the codified social contract that all members were expected to agree and comply with); "Polyfidelty: Beyond Jealousy and Possessiveness"; "Multiple Parenting" (the practice of raising children within a communal setting in which all the adults identify with being parents and take part in the child-rearing process); "Utopian Psychology Lesson 8: Gita Yoga"; and "Report on the West Coast People's Commune".
iii) Vol. 3, #2 (Spring 1977). Contents include: prospectus for "The New School of Utopian Psychology at Harbin Hot Springs" (Utopian psychology posited a theory of positive human 'instincts' which if properly supported by the environment would prosper and produce balanced, contented, productive people); "Socratina Says (A Balanced Rotational Sleeping Schedule?!)"; and "Utopian Psychology Notes: Two Paradoxes".
iv) Vol. 3, #3 (Summer 1977). Contents include: "My Quest for a Sane Spirituality"; "Transforming Bad Habits into Creative Genius through Gestalt-O-Rama"; "Stanislavski's Dream"; and Islandia Free U" ("the next step in the creation of a neo-tribal community of Utopian idealists across the country and around the planet").
v) Vol. 3, #4 (Autumn 1977). Contents include: "Reflections on Friendship and Neo-Romance"; "Written Constitution for a Utopian Community"; and "Utopian Social Schedule" (this included Kerista Rap Groups [Kerista held free rap groups open to non-Keristans several nights a week], soccer games, and Utopian Psychology seminars).
vi) Vol. 4, #4 (Autumn 1978). Contents include: "The Illusion of Love"; "Inside Gestalt-O-Rama"; "Breaking Up, Utopian Style"; and "Polyfidelity Central".
vii) Vol. 5, #3 (Summer 1979). Contents include: "The University of Utopia"; "Multiply Marvelous Parenting"; "The Awakening of Mysticism through Management"; and a book review of 'Herland', a utopian novel by Charlotte Perkins Gilman first published in 1915.
viii) Vol. 6, #1 (Winter 1980). Contents include: an article discussing the potential harmful effects of media on children, especially "significant in a Utopian experimental setting, where the environment is being carefully designed to nurture certain values and leave others behind"; "Visions of the Future: Assorted Architectural Ideas of Even Eve, Circa 1971-1979"; "A rambling update on the progress and theory of bringing up baby, neo-tribal community-style" by Even Eve; "Pals - A One-Act Play by Bluejay Way About Whores, Housewives… and Overcoming Prejudice"; "Self-Esteem: A Do-It-Yourself Mental Health Questionnaire" by Geo Logical (a former psychiatric nurse); and an extensive 20pp. directory (also featured in earlier issues) of alternative lifestyle stores and resources throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.
Newsprint slightly age-toned, o/w all issues Very Good plus to Near Fine.
