For those curious about this controversial documentary, finding a copy is not straightforward. The film has never been officially released or distributed. However, there are scattered reports that is available on certain torrent websites and can be found on YouTube in parts, albeit without reliable subtitles.
The most reliable way to access Larry Rivers' filmography is through major art institutions.
While "Growing" remains largely inaccessible, some of Rivers' other less controversial media works can sometimes be found on platforms like the Media Burn Archive or for rental on Vimeo On Demand legal disputes
The Larry Rivers Papers housed at major university research libraries (such as the Fales Library & Special Collections at New York University) contain hundreds of hours of his video diaries, personal audio tapes, and film reels. Researchers can often request on-site viewing privileges. --- Documentary Growing 1981 Larry Rivers LINK Download
Rivers’ studio was notoriously chaotic, a reflection of his energetic, sometimes frantic approach to painting. The documentary showcases this, allowing viewers to see the mess, the intensity, and the focused energy that went into creating his large-scale works. 3. Subject Matter: History and Personal Life
His iconic works, such as Washington Crossing the Delaware , reimagined historical tropes with a fresh, sometimes irreverent perspective.
The article also gave voice to Rivers’ daughters, who by then were middle-aged women dealing with severe psychological trauma. Emma Tamburlini, one of the daughters featured in the film, reported that she had suffered from anorexia since the age of sixteen, directly attributing her eating disorder to the exploitation she experienced at her father's hands. Her sister Gwynne struggled with bulimia. The most reliable way to access Larry Rivers'
Larry Rivers : Growing (1981) – A Look into a Controversial Archive
Gwynne's testimony was more measured but no less painful. She struggled with bulimia as a teenager and drank to excess into her early 20s. "I just made it go away," she said of the trauma. "Unsuccessfully". She acknowledged that her father knew he was making them uncomfortable: "Maybe every father has some feelings about his daughters turning into young women, and they know it's verboten, so they don't go near it. My father knew it was verboten, so he found a way to luxuriate in his fantasies without, he thought, putting both feet over the line".
New York University Returns Films of Larry Rivers's Children Rivers’ studio was notoriously chaotic, a reflection of
Rivers famously used his daughters, sons, and ex-partners as central subjects. Growing features deeply personal interviews and candid interactions that challenge the boundary between public art and private life.
Rivers documented his two adolescent daughters, Emma and Gwynne, as they went through puberty
The documentary "Growing" (1981) featuring Larry Rivers is a fascinating watch for art enthusiasts and fans of the artist. Larry Rivers was an American artist known for his work in various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and filmmaking.