The documentary gained significant public attention years later during discussions regarding the acquisition of Larry Rivers' personal archives by academic institutions. In 2010, when the Larry Rivers Foundation sought to place the artist's collection with New York University (NYU), the existence of the film became a central point of legal and ethical debate.
Platforms like Kanopy or Mubi , which focus on indie and educational films, occasionally rotate classic art documentaries into their catalogs.
He was famous for pushing boundaries—most notably with his controversial 1965 painting The Dutch Masters and his highly intimate, often provocative video collaborations with filmmaker Michel Auder in the 1970s and 1980s. Rivers viewed video not just as a tool for documentation, but as a living canvas capable of capturing psychological truths that paint could not. Decoding Growing (1981)
The subject, , was a pivotal figure in the art world—a musician turned painter who is often cited as the "Godfather" of Pop Art and a precursor to Neo-Dadaism. --- Documentary Growing 1981 Larry Rivers LINK Download
Rivers was known for involving his family in his art (most famously his mother-in-law, Berdie), and the documentary touches upon how his personal relationships fueled his creative output. Why is it so hard to find?
the "Growing" series. Due to the ethical and legal controversies surrounding the privacy of the subjects, the footage is strictly restricted: Larry Rivers Foundation
Gwynne's testimony was more measured but no less painful. She struggled with bulimia as a teenager and drank to excess into her early 20s. "I just made it go away," she said of the trauma. "Unsuccessfully". She acknowledged that her father knew he was making them uncomfortable: "Maybe every father has some feelings about his daughters turning into young women, and they know it's verboten, so they don't go near it. My father knew it was verboten, so he found a way to luxuriate in his fantasies without, he thought, putting both feet over the line". He was famous for pushing boundaries—most notably with
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The documentary remains one of the most controversial works in Rivers' career due to its intrusive nature . Rivers filmed his daughters in various states of undress—often topless or naked—while asking them probing questions about their developing bodies and sexuality .
Larry Rivers died in 2002, eight years before the controversy erupted publicly. He left behind a substantial body of work that includes paintings in the Museum of Modern Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and other major institutions. His contributions to Pop Art are undeniable, and his influence on artists like Andy Warhol is well-documented. Rivers was known for involving his family in
: In 1981, Rivers edited this raw footage into a 45-minute cut intended for public exhibition. However, the girls' mother, Clarice Rivers, intervened and stopped the public screening. The film was subsequently shelved and placed into Rivers' private archives. The Archival Controversy and Legal Battle
In "Growing," Rivers explores themes of identity, creativity, and the human condition. The documentary offers a unique glimpse into Rivers' life and artistic process, providing insight into his inspirations and motivations.
Rivers famously used his daughters, sons, and ex-partners as central subjects. Growing features deeply personal interviews and candid interactions that challenge the boundary between public art and private life.
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