Feelin Groovy: Rock 'n Roll Graphics, 1966-1970

We went over to the North Little Rock Library today to look at a new exhibit that brought back a lot memories for Larry. The University of Arkansas Little rock has a permanent collection of over 120 psychedelic handbill and posters from the 1960s and 70s. The handbill and posters were done to promote the banks who converged on the San Francisco Haight-Asbury District during that era. I was surprised that the handbills were so small, only abut 5.5" x 8.5" until I read that they were put on telephone and light poles so then the small size made sense. Larry said that the poles near his company's location was always covered with them and yes, he did go to some of the concerts. I had a hard time reading the lettering on the posters.

According to the exhibit: "Rock music and LSD inspired a new, radical form of graphic art - the psychedelic poster. It's hallmarks were vibrating colors, patterns that fill the whole space and illegible lettering. The poster artists used as many bright colors as possible, matching each vibrating edge to the turned-up amps of the musicians. The artist strove to fill up the poster space rather than to place an isolated image on a bare sheet. the rock posters captured the sensuality, experimentation, and freedom of hippies through the use of uninhibited color and joyful, sensuous curves expanding in all directions." Otherwise, they were best looked at if you were high on LSD and the artist certainly knew from first hand experience what the LSD trip was like. 8-)