Books
The first rural ‘commune’ (perhaps). It thrived, grew too unwieldy and withered. Links to many tales, pics and video. On the site, it says:
“In 1962, Gene Bernofsky, Jo Ann Bernofsky and Clark Richert were students at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Gene and Clark developed a concept they called “Drop Art” (coining the term well before the era-branding slogan, “Turn on, tune in, drop out”). “Dropping” artworks from the rooftop of a loft space in Lawrence, they were making art a spontaneous part of everyday life in the face of a society they saw as increasingly materialistic and war-mongering.
In 1965, they bought a small piece of land near Trinidad, Colorado andcalled their settlement Drop City. They were soon joined by other artists, writers and inventors, and they started building a community that celebrated creative work.”
Drop City’s dazzling structures were based on Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes and the crystalline designs of Steve Baer, a pioneer in geometric structure and solar energy.
Eco-Village Book:
Website for Professor Karen Litfin’s book of her journey to many of the world’s ecovillages – intentional communities at the cutting-edge of sustainable living. Good hub links to the eco-village sites.
Phil Rooksby’s personal site, with links to books, ideas, and well, lots of nicely Utopian dreams! A world nomad and seeker of the absolute, best low-impact dwelling place possible. El Pocito!
Also dedicated to his sadly demised partner, Maureen Rooksby and her book ‘Tread softly because you tread on my dreams’.
Lots of interesting links off this hub site.
There are a number of organisations and communities around the world with this name. This is the link to: Emmaus International, which is committed to its work in six priority areas:
right to water,
health
education,
ethical finance,
fighting human trafficking,
international migration
Enabler Publications site, based in the UK offers an interesting portal into information, links and books about the new Travellers in the UK and beyond, the evolution of festivals, eco-living, alternative Australia and a diverse range of interests around creative work with young people and the environment, including Africa.
Located on coast of California at the Big Sur. Esalen is a commune; a centre for human consciousness-raising educational workshops; hot springs; land conservation and stewardship; yoga and tantric sex; a retreat. And at various times, home to talents and ideas of luminaries such as Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary, Joan Baez and Albert Hoffman.
A fascinating seedbed of influence even on Russians such as Boris Yeltsin.
Eurotopia – Links to some pages and extracts from the: Living in community directory of communities and eco-villages in Europe. An invaluable guide book in print form to communities.
Exist to Resist is:
A 2017 hardback photo book from Matt Smith focusing on the underground culture of ‘resistance’ in the UK.
Particularly looks at the Traveller, protest and rave scenes. Very hands-on.
Festival Eye magazine features news and info about the more alternative-style festies, mostly UK-focused. Worth checking out some of the older issues.
A book published on the web and in print form. Its aim to look at: “How the need for physical contact, anonymous freedom and community gives rise to new models of togetherness and autonomy in festivals, communities, free cultural spaces and tribes. “ Luc Sala with Aja Waalwijk