Tosh: Growing Up in Wallace Berman's World

This is an up-close and personal look at an "All-In" committed artist and his Milieu. I had never heard of Wallace Berman until reading Tosh's superb Facebook posts around this book's publication. Tosh has a marvelous behind-the beat writing style that is easy on the brain. Text is filled with fascinating anecdotes around the artists, musicians, actors, dancers who inhabited Wallace's and young Tosh's world. Always great to discover new artists who did not seek publicity thus gained little publicity but worked and worked and worked at their art. L.A. art world heavy hitters knew of Wallace Berman and respected him and his work. A superb book for any art-lover. Wallace was a key figure in the USA "Beat" scene. Looking forward to Tosh Berman writing on ANYTHING ! The locomotive is a photograph by the also under-appreciated great Darius Mckinsey.

This book may be considered a memoir, but it is much more than most of that genre. It is a portrait of the Beat culture of the 50's and 60's when art was redefined and reinvented. Tosh, the son of Wallace Berman, has expressed his love and devotion for his father and reveals himself as well with humor and sensitivity. He grew up immersed in a world of art, music, and literature including frequent contacts with celebrities of the time passing through the studio. The young man's passion was music and girls--not following in his father's creative passions. Along the way he experienced all the usual teenage angst of sadness and failures, but he never gave in to using his father's success and went his own way after Wallace's tragic death. This book is evidence that Tosh has achieved success as a writer--not a small achievement. All creative readers will benefit by enjoying such a great read.

tosh is a self centered narrative of a life made interesting by artist father. Although the reader learns very little about the artist or his art, the affeCts of an artist parent are deeply felt by the writer so the interest remains pathology.

Well written - a really good and enjoyable book - learned a lot I did not know.

Many contemporary books that reflect on the California art and literature scene (postwar to 1975) come from an academic standpoint, historical documents (such as letters, dated articles, etc) and memoirs by the artists themselves -- with the occasional fuzzy detail. What makes this book different from the rest are Tosh Berman's vivid memories growing up as a child, primarily in Topanga Canyon and San Francisco with Wallace Berman as a father. Wallace Berman is considered a crucial figure in post-war California art, primarily for Semina (considered the first zine), his assemblage art and film making. His exhibition at Ferus Gallery (1957) is an ever-continuing discussion regarding censorship in art.Tosh was given the unique opportunity to grow up surrounded by crucial figures of postwar California art and literature: Duncan & Jess, (Marjorie) Cameron, Allen Ginsberg, George Herms, Toni Basil, etc. and he recollects just some of these memories in this book. He goes into detail about being raised by an artist that is insular in nature, but vocal with his artistic output. Even though Wallace is on the cover of Sgt. Pepper's and has an appearance in Easy Rider, he was extremely private about his work -- this book is one of the few places to see a more intimate perspective. It's very personal and touching, yet without the sentiment most memoirs offer; written in an observational "matter of fact" manner that children have to accept. Growing up in primarily Topanga Canyon and San Francisco during this period is fascinating and enviable, but an unusual cultural bubble far different than the outside world which Tosh has to figure out on his own. For those that are fond of the Beat Generation and the arts that corresponded with it, this book is a must -- but more importantly, this book is perfect for those that believe in creating art for art's sake.