Contact the Estate of Larry Rivers (via Tibor de Nagy Gallery, NYC) or MoMA’s Film Study Center to request a research screening.
The film was recorded over several years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It remained largely private and unshown for decades following its completion. The project was intended to be part of an exhibition, but it was withdrawn from public view shortly after its creation due to concerns regarding its appropriateness and the privacy of those involved. --- Documentary Growing 1981 Larry Rivers LINK Download
Media outlets like Vanity Fair and publications on Glasstire have overwhelmingly reviewed the project not as a cinematic piece, but as a gross violation of parental boundaries and an exploitation of minors under the guise of high art. Contact the Estate of Larry Rivers (via Tibor
If you have student or faculty access, search Kanopy or Alexander Street . The project was intended to be part of
The project remains highly controversial and legally restricted from public distribution due to serious claims of child exploitation and emotional trauma. 🎞️ About the Project Pop artist Larry Rivers
The artist filmed them naked or topless while asking questions about their changing bodies and sexuality ⚖️ The Controversy & Helpful Review
It is crucial to state that Larry Rivers' 1981 documentary "Growing" is not commercially available for download or public streaming on any major platform (such as Amazon Prime, YouTube, or Vimeo). This is for several reasons: the profound ethical controversy surrounding the film, its likely legal status as potential child pornography, and the active opposition of Rivers' daughter, Emma, who has demanded its suppression. The footage reportedly resides within the larger Larry Rivers archive now housed at New York University, but it is not accessible to the general public. Given the subject matter, it is highly likely that this film will never be released. Therefore, there are no legitimate download links for the 1981 film "Growing," and users are strongly advised to be aware of this fact.