NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL. THURSDAY MAY 11 1967. 1967. MOORMAN’S REPRINT OF THE JUDGEMENT FOR THE PEOPLE VS CHARLOTTE MOORMAN.

NYC: s.p. (Moorman), 1967

57 x 44.5cm, 2pp. Stapled twice along top of sheets.  Large format xerox of the final judgement of the court case for The People & Co vs Charlotte Moorman – the performer had been arrested and charged with indecent exposure on February 9 1967 when she performed Paik’s Opera Sextronique bare breasted but with propellors on her nipples. The police decided to interpret existing law which forbid the exposure of “private parts” to include the exhibition of breasts (which previously had not been included in the interpretation). Additionally in the interregnum between the arrest and the trial new legislation allowing upper nudity during performances in New York. Moorman claimed First Amendment protected her right to perform in such a manner. The judge (showing more than a little bias and displeasure at radical art performance) refused to dismiss the case and Moorman was found guilty.

Moormann created these reproductions of the judgement and circulated them to the media and friends. Very scarce personal documentation of an important event. VG+.