Drawing of Santa sitting on a toilet with objects labeled as people and organizations (Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, The Floating Bear, no. 1-37, 1961-1969)

Physical art arose as a means of criticizing society through both a more literal sense and a more abstract sense than written poetry or literature. Compared to literature or poetry, physical art can be used in a much more direct means of criticism. In the picture to the left, many different people and organizations are compared to various objects found in a restroom. One notable example is comparing the FBI to a toilet seat cover. This was a deliberate comparison, likely referencing how the FBI covers up events that the United States government does not want people to know about.

Interestingly, this image also references products of the Beat Movement. Several publications, including the Evergreen Review and the Hudson Review, are compared to bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. This may be a reference to how these publications prevent the mess that the government is trying to cover up from spilling out everywhere. Also, a lit candle is labeled as pioneering underground filmmaker Jack Smith. This undoubtedly references how as a filmmaker, Smith is able to shine a light on society in a way few else can.

Depiction of an Asura surrounded by religious symbols from various religions uncommon in the United States (Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives, The Floating Bear, no. 1-37, 1961-1969)

Religion in Beat Art

Appeals to eastern religion also fundamentally serve as critiques of western society. By rejecting western religions like christianity in favor of eastern religions like Buddhism and mysticism, artists are able to question the validity of christianity as an answer to philosophical and metaphysical questions of humanity.

The image to the right depicts a Buddhist Asura, a three-faced, wicked being [1]. Asuras are reflections of human ego, violence, and anger. By depicting one of these flawed entities with a third eye, often a symbol of enlightenment, this artist may be referring to himself and, by extension, the Beat Movement as a whole. This artist may be referring to himself and other beatniks as highly flawed individuals but enlightened enough to understand their own imperfections.

However, the artist references Egyptian hieroglyphics as well. On the Asura's chest an Egyptian ankh is glowing. The symbol of an ankh generally means life. Having a glowing ankh may insinuate that the artist has found some meaning in life through his appeals to eastern religion. Despite these references to many religions, the artist does not include any Christian images, demonstrating the rejection of western religion by beatniks as a viable solution to metaphysical questions of existence.