Charas / Community Initiative

Charas. Michael Ben-Eli, Buckminster Fuller, consultants. Syeus Mottel, photography.

New York: self-published, [1973]. Laminated cover, plastic comb binding at top. 11 ¼ x 8 ½ in. Offset. [42] pp.

Self-published and thoroughly illustrated annual report for the Lower East Side community organization known for its geodesic domes, likely produced the same year as the celebrated 1973 book documenting their project.

Though undated, this publication includes a section titled “1973 / 1974 program” in which the authors outline objectives for the years following the publication - suggesting that this was produced in 1973 as a report for funders and supporters. Additionally, the latest media source cited in this book is from early 1973. The book includes illustrated pages depicting construction of the domes, reproductions of news clippings covering them, an overview of the history of the organization up to this time, and plans for the future.

Charas, an acronym formed from the names of its founders, grew out of the Real Great Society, an organization of Puerto Rican youth in the Lower East Side. The group, including several formerly incarcerated individuals, met with the architect responsible for popularizing the geodesic dome, R. Buckminster Fuller, and consulted with him throughout the process. They built several geodesic domes and gardens, and provided low income housing to community members. The group later squatted Christodora House along with former Black Panthers; kicked out by the city, they moved into the former elementary school, P.S. 64, and formed El Bohio - a community center that would last until 2001 when the building changed hands and the organization was evicted. The building, now landmarked, has sat vacant since the eviction and protests to reopen the Charas / El Bohio center continue today.

Not located on OCLC as of March 2022.

Some shelf wear to cover and very slight separation on top right corner. Overall very good, with a tight and clean interior.