Is Piero Heliczer Living or Dead?

About Piero Heliczer

Piero Heliczer was a true underground icon of the 1960s New York art scene. Born in Rome in 1937, he moved to the United States in the late 1950s and quickly became involved in the city's avant-garde film and poetry circles. Heliczer was a prolific filmmaker, poet, and performer, known for his experimental approach to art and his collaborations with other artists.

Heliczer's films were often improvised and experimental, featuring a mix of abstract imagery, found footage, and live performances. He was a key figure in the underground film movement of the 1960s, and his work was screened at festivals and galleries around the world. Some of his most notable films include "Venus in Furs" (1965), "The Autumn Feast" (1961), and "The Dead Star" (1963).

In addition to his filmmaking, Heliczer was also a talented poet and performer. He was a regular at the legendary Cafe Bizarre in Greenwich Village, where he would recite his poetry and perform with his band, The Dead Star Orchestra. He was also a close friend and collaborator of other notable artists of the era, including Andy Warhol, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs.

Despite his prolific output and influence on the underground art scene, Heliczer remained relatively unknown outside of his circle of peers. He died tragically in a motorcycle accident in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and boundary-pushing art.

References:

- "Piero Heliczer: The Dead Star of the Underground" by Paul Gallagher, Dangerous Minds

- "Piero Heliczer: The Forgotten Poet of the Beat Generation" by John W. Whitehead, The Rutherford Institute

- "Piero Heliczer: The Underground Filmmaker Who Inspired Warhol and the Velvet Underground" by Tim Ott, The Vinyl Factory