Further
Further was a work of art. It was a vehicle, but above that it was a work of art. Driven by Cassady, owned by Kesey, and lying now decrepit in a swamp. Despite a ‘merry prank’ where Kesey claimed he was donating it to the Smithsonian, the bus rots onwards in a swamp out in Oregon. The bus conveyed the Merry Pranksters on their magic trip, as they spread their ideas, beginning to awaken America from its rampant conformity in the 50’s. While they also spread the use of LSD, the artwork of the bus itself, and its prominent display of the flag of the United States, have lead it to become permanently symbolic of the American culture.
Its psychedelic design, while not completely original, spread the association of colour with counterculture. It made the permanent association between color, buses, LSD, and counterculture that we see today. But, despite its permanence at the core of the counterculture of the 60’s, it also bore a particular symbol which changed its meaning entirely. Kesey always flew the American flag when he got the chance. He often violated laws about not flying it at night, during the rain, or in other conditions. His continued use of the American flag changed the counterculture movement. Suddenly, the Hipsters and Beatniks were American too. Even if they had different views, did different drugs and listened to different music, the country was forced to accept that they were Americans too. While they didn’t always, and the Merry Pranksters were often pursued for criminal charges, they are still seen to this day as influential Americans. The design of this bus therefore shows that the American System, even when it doesn’t embrace change, isn’t absolutely antithetical to it. Some reformers still see themselves as decidedly American, even if they disagree with the views of America at large, and the American identity doesn’t seem to refuse these people, even if it thinks they’re criminals. In a way, the flag on Further is proof that the American system isn’t always opposed to change.
Other movements have taken pieces of patriotism into themselves, but not always in such a positive way. Sometimes it is the simply plea that the rebels are Americans too. Just because the Star Spangled Banner was played at Woodstock didn't mean the nation was ready to listen to their anthems.
Its psychedelic design, while not completely original, spread the association of colour with counterculture. It made the permanent association between color, buses, LSD, and counterculture that we see today. But, despite its permanence at the core of the counterculture of the 60’s, it also bore a particular symbol which changed its meaning entirely. Kesey always flew the American flag when he got the chance. He often violated laws about not flying it at night, during the rain, or in other conditions. His continued use of the American flag changed the counterculture movement. Suddenly, the Hipsters and Beatniks were American too. Even if they had different views, did different drugs and listened to different music, the country was forced to accept that they were Americans too. While they didn’t always, and the Merry Pranksters were often pursued for criminal charges, they are still seen to this day as influential Americans. The design of this bus therefore shows that the American System, even when it doesn’t embrace change, isn’t absolutely antithetical to it. Some reformers still see themselves as decidedly American, even if they disagree with the views of America at large, and the American identity doesn’t seem to refuse these people, even if it thinks they’re criminals. In a way, the flag on Further is proof that the American system isn’t always opposed to change.
Other movements have taken pieces of patriotism into themselves, but not always in such a positive way. Sometimes it is the simply plea that the rebels are Americans too. Just because the Star Spangled Banner was played at Woodstock didn't mean the nation was ready to listen to their anthems.