This marbling piece isn't from the movie, but it is still incredibly groovy. (Image by Aristeas.)

“Marbling” is the craft of floating paints on top of the surface of water and immersing a fabric or parchment in it to create a multicolor design. The five-minute 1970 documentary short shows the hippie marbling pioneer known as “Cove” creating one of his large-scale works in Berkeley. It then presents some recent comments from the now gray-haired artist, as he recalls using the money he made from sales of his fabrics to purchase paint supplies, weed, rice and groupies. These days, Cove is an artist and political activist who lives in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Watch the very groovy short film.

Other recent videos:

• Fifteen-year-old guru tries to levitate the Astrodome. (1974)
• Edward Kienholz’s controversial L.A. art show. (1969)
• Timothy Leary interviewed at Folsom Prison. (1970s)