Leo Krikorian, Artist and Godfather of the Beats

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Leo Krikorian, 1922-2015

Leo Krikorian was a visionary American artist and cultural icon, renowned for his

groundbreaking work in abstract painting and photography. A student of renowned figures like

Ansel Adams and Ilya Bolotowsky, Krikorian's geometric abstractions were deeply influenced by

his time at Black Mountain College. He played a pivotal role in the Beat Generation as the

founder of The Place, a legendary San Francisco bar that became the epicenter of Beat culture.

Throughout his career, Krikorian's work showcased a masterful exploration of color, form, and

dynamic symmetry, earning him international recognition with exhibitions in major cities like

Paris, New York, and San Francisco. His legacy endures as a catalyst for creative expression

and a bridge between art and cultural dialogue.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1922 in Fresno, California, Leo Krikorian was the son of Armenian immigrants who had

settled in a tight-knit Armenian community in Fowler. Growing up during the Great Depression,

he worked on farms and in canneries, experiences that instilled in him a strong work ethic and a

profound sense of resilience.

In 1943, Krikorian was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he spent two years in Florida attending

photography school and working on training manuals. His service laid the groundwork for his

lifelong fascination with visual art, and after the war, he utilized the G.I. Bill to study photography

at the Art Center School in Los Angeles, where one of his mentors was the legendary

photographer Ansel Adams.

It was in Los Angeles that Krikorian first heard about Black Mountain College. He learned about

the school from a conversation with a girl over coffee, and the college immediately intrigued him.

He decided to apply and submitted some of his photographs as part of his application,

convinced that conventional colleges were not a fit for him. Krikorian made the cross-country

journey from Los Angeles to Black Mountain College in his Model A Ford, a trip that took two

weeks. Once there, he arrived early and began working on the college farm, continuing his long

history of hard work and determination.

Black Mountain College: A Transformative Experience

Krikorian's time at Black Mountain College was pivotal in shaping his artistic philosophy. The

college, renowned for its innovative approach to education, attracted a diverse array of artists

and thinkers, such as Josef Albers, Willem de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Merce

Cunningham, and many others who became influential figures in 20th-century art.

At Black Mountain, Krikorian studied under Josef Albers and Ilya Bolotowsky, two key figures

whose teachings had a profound impact on his work. Albers' rigorous exploration of color theory

and form provided Krikorian with a foundation in design principles, while Bolotowsky's emphasis

on geometric abstraction encouraged him to develop his unique artistic voice. Krikorian took art

classes and also participated in John Wallen’s Group Process class. Although he audited

Albers’s design class, it was Bolotowsky who had the greatest influence on him. Krikorian

appreciated Bolotowsky's teaching approach, which allowed students the freedom to pursue

realism or abstraction and receive feedback tailored to their work, rather than a predetermined

style.

While at Black Mountain, Krikorian continued his work in the darkroom, honing his skills in

abstract photography. The interdisciplinary nature of the college and the exposure to leading

artists of the time inspired him to merge his interests in photography and painting.

Artistic Development and Influence

Following his year at Black Mountain College, Krikorian briefly moved to New York City, where

he worked in darkrooms and continued creating abstract photographs. This period was marked

by experimentation and the blending of photographic techniques with abstract artistic concepts.

Krikorian then relocated to San Francisco, where he furthered his education at the California

School of Fine Arts (now the San Francisco Art Institute) using the remaining G.I. Bill benefits.

Here, he studied under notable artists such as Ansel Adams, Minor White, and Clyfford Still,

each of whom influenced his approach to both photography and painting.

Krikorian's work is characterized by its precise use of color, line, and geometric form, reflecting

the influence of Bolotowsky and the De Stijl movement. While many artists of his era were

drawn to Abstract Expressionism, Krikorian's carefully crafted geometric paintings distinguished

him as a unique voice in the realm of abstract art. His paintings often incorporated dynamic

symmetry, optical illusions, and the interplay of positive and negative space, themes that

resonated with the teachings of both Bolotowsky and Albers.

The Place and the Beat Generation

In 1953, Krikorian and fellow Black Mountain student Knute Stiles opened a bar called The

Place in North Beach, San Francisco. This establishment quickly became the epicenter of Beat

culture on the West Coast, earning Krikorian the nickname "Grandfather of the Beats."

The Place was more than just a bar; it was a cultural hub where artists, writers, and musicians

gathered to share ideas, perform, and collaborate. The atmosphere was simple, featuring a

piano, sawdust on the floor, tables, and chairs, yet it became a crucible for creativity and

countercultural dialogue. Allen Ginsberg gave a test reading of his seminal poem "Howl" at The

Place before it was published, and the bar hosted exhibitions of abstract art, experimental film

screenings, and music recitals. Krikorian's venue mirrored the iconic Cedar Bar in New York

City, serving as a sanctuary for intellectual and artistic exploration.

Two standout events at The Place included Blabbermouth Night, where the most outrageous

speech won a bottle of champagne, and the annual April Fools' Day Dada Show. Krikorian

fondly recalled how Jack Kerouac's On the Road inspired hitchhikers to make The Place their

first stop upon arriving in San Francisco.

However, when the building's landlord, described as "an Italian ex-Mafia from Chicago," sold the

property in 1960, The Place was forced to close its doors. The legacy of this cultural gathering

spot, however, endured and contributed to Krikorian's reputation as a key figure in the Beat

Generation.

A Life of Art and Innovation

After closing The Place, Krikorian continued to foster artistic communities by opening The

Kettle, a deli in Sausalito, in 1956. The Kettle became another gathering place for artists and

writers, many of whom lived on nearby houseboats. Krikorian also operated a coffee shop for

three years, creating spaces for creativity and community throughout his life.

Krikorian's passion for art was not limited to painting; he also explored filmmaking at The Film

School in Half Moon Bay, California, in 1970. His paintings were exhibited at venues such as

The Place, the Six Gallery - a cooperative dedicated to experimental art which he co-founded -

and the Metart Gallery in San Francisco. His work stood out during a time when most artists

gravitated toward Abstract Expressionism, as his paintings displayed the precision and

geometric influence of Bolotowsky and Mondrian.

European Influence and Later Work

In 1977, Krikorian sold The Kettle and moved to France, where he divided his time between

Sausalito and Paris. He established a studio and gallery in a 15th-century building at 36 Rue

des Blancs Manteaux, near the Georges Pompidou Modern Art Museum. Here, he continued to

push the boundaries of geometric abstraction, creating paintings and stained glass windows that

played with dynamic symmetry, color, and optical illusion.

In Paris, Krikorian's stained glass work incorporated the patterns and themes of his paintings,

with the leading between the flat planes introducing a new dimension to his art. His later pieces

reflect a closer alignment with Albers' emphasis on color interaction and structural precision,

showcasing Krikorian's evolution as an artist.

Recognition and Legacy

Leo Krikorian's work has been exhibited in major cities worldwide, including New York, San

Francisco, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Paris, Seattle, Rome, and London. His unique

contributions to art were celebrated in 1993 when the Art Research Center (ARC), New Circle

Publications, and the International Institute for Modern Structural Art honored him with a

retrospective exhibition, Concrete Concepts: The Career of Krikorian, held at the Scarritt Arcade

and the Power & Light Building in Kansas City.

Krikorian's legacy is marked by his commitment to exploring the interplay of color, form, and

abstraction, as well as his role as a cultural facilitator during a transformative period in American

art.