James Haynes
Encyclopedia
James Haynes, commonly known as Jim Haynes (born November 10, 1933), was a leading figure in the London "underground" and alternative/counter-culture scene of the 1960s. He was involved with the founding of the paper International Times
and the London Arts Lab
in Drury Lane
for experimental and mixed media work.
, U.S. After spending several years in Venezuela
, he attended university in his hometown. In 1956, his military service brought him to Scotland and he decided to stay there afterwards. He attended Edinburgh University and, among other writing and musical activities, helped in the foundation of the Traverse Theatre
and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He ran the Paperback Bookshop in George Square ("at the sign of the rhinoceros head" - there was a stuffed trophy head on the pavement outside), which he boasted was "Britain's first paperback only bookshop", until the University redeveloped the Square and he lost the premises.
In 1966 he relocated to London in the middle of the "swinging 60s" and became heavily involved in the underground cultural scene, co-founding the pivotal alternative paper International Times, known as "I.T.", along with others including Barry Miles
and John Hopkins
.
In September 1967, Haynes co-founded the Drury Lane Arts Lab space for mixed-media (it closed 15 months later).
In 1969 in Amsterdam he co-launched Suck newspaper for sexual freedom. It was also obtainable in the United Kingdom. The first issue contained a long and unrestrainedly descriptive erotic poem attributed to W. H. Auden
and an explicit photo of Germaine Greer
.
Haynes then taught Media Studies and Sexual Politics for 30 years at the University of Paris 8. Over this time he has held open house on Sundays in Paris, and published an irregular newsletter about his life and times. In addition he has written an autobiographical memoir, titled Thanks for Coming, and frequently attends annual arts festivals such as the Edinburgh Festivals.
In Christmas 2009, Haynes and his open house parties featured in British television advertisements for multinational foods company Nestlé
: "When the coffee and 'After Eight' mints come out, Jim's always got a story to tell."
Various footage of Jim Haynes has recently been included in a documentary 'Echoes of the underground' which also features Lee Harris
Brian Barritt, Henk Targowski and Youth
. The score for the film was written and performed by The Moonlight Convention
.
International Times
International Times was an underground newspaper founded in London in 1966. Editors included Hoppy, David Mairowitz, Pete Stansill, Barry Miles, Jim Haynes and playwright Tom McGrath...
and the London Arts Lab
Arts Lab
The Arts Lab was an alternative arts centre, founded in 1967 by Jim Haynes at 182 Drury Lane. Although only active for two years, it was influential in inspiring many similar centres in the UK and continental Europe, including the expanded I.C.A...
in Drury Lane
Drury Lane
Drury Lane is a street on the eastern boundary of the Covent Garden area of London, running between Aldwych and High Holborn. The northern part is in the borough of Camden and the southern part in the City of Westminster....
for experimental and mixed media work.
Life and work
Jim Haynes was born in Haynesville, LouisianaHaynesville, Louisiana
Haynesville is a town in northern Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, United States, located just south of the Arkansas border. The population was 2,679 at the 2000 census....
, U.S. After spending several years in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, he attended university in his hometown. In 1956, his military service brought him to Scotland and he decided to stay there afterwards. He attended Edinburgh University and, among other writing and musical activities, helped in the foundation of the Traverse Theatre
Traverse Theatre
The Traverse Theatre is a theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was founded in 1963.The Traverse Theatre commissions and develops new plays or adaptations from contemporary playwrights. It also presents a large number of productions from visiting companies from across the UK. These include new plays,...
and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He ran the Paperback Bookshop in George Square ("at the sign of the rhinoceros head" - there was a stuffed trophy head on the pavement outside), which he boasted was "Britain's first paperback only bookshop", until the University redeveloped the Square and he lost the premises.
In 1966 he relocated to London in the middle of the "swinging 60s" and became heavily involved in the underground cultural scene, co-founding the pivotal alternative paper International Times, known as "I.T.", along with others including Barry Miles
Barry Miles
Barry Miles is an English author known for his participation in and writing on the subject of the 1960s London underground. He has written numerous books and his work has also regularly appeared in left-wing papers such as The Guardian...
and John Hopkins
John Hopkins (political activist)
John "Hoppy" Hopkins is a British photographer, journalist, researcher and political activist, and "one of the best-known underground figures of Swinging London" in the late 1960s.-Life:...
.
In September 1967, Haynes co-founded the Drury Lane Arts Lab space for mixed-media (it closed 15 months later).
In 1969 in Amsterdam he co-launched Suck newspaper for sexual freedom. It was also obtainable in the United Kingdom. The first issue contained a long and unrestrainedly descriptive erotic poem attributed to W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
and an explicit photo of Germaine Greer
Germaine Greer
Germaine Greer is an Australian writer, academic, journalist and scholar of early modern English literature, widely regarded as one of the most significant feminist voices of the later 20th century....
.
Haynes then taught Media Studies and Sexual Politics for 30 years at the University of Paris 8. Over this time he has held open house on Sundays in Paris, and published an irregular newsletter about his life and times. In addition he has written an autobiographical memoir, titled Thanks for Coming, and frequently attends annual arts festivals such as the Edinburgh Festivals.
In Christmas 2009, Haynes and his open house parties featured in British television advertisements for multinational foods company Nestlé
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
: "When the coffee and 'After Eight' mints come out, Jim's always got a story to tell."
Various footage of Jim Haynes has recently been included in a documentary 'Echoes of the underground' which also features Lee Harris
Lee Harris
Lee Harris is an American author and essayist who writes for Policy Review and Tech Central Station who lives in Stone Mountain, Georgia.-Books by Lee Harris:*The Suicide of Reason: Radical Islam's Threat to the West Basic Books...
Brian Barritt, Henk Targowski and Youth
Martin Glover
Martin Glover, also known as Youth, is a record producer and a founding member and bassist of the UK band Killing Joke. He is a member of The Fireman along with Paul McCartney. Glover was born in Africa.-Early career:...
. The score for the film was written and performed by The Moonlight Convention
The Moonlight Convention
frame|River Styx in studio 2009. Photo by Tony Ishola.The Moonlight Convention founded by Hicham Bensassi aka River Styx .is an experimental music collective...
.