Throughout history and even today, there are reemerging art styles that influence different cultures and aesthetics. During the cultural upheaval of the 1960s, there was a surge of an art style that influenced band posters, album covers and even clothing. Known for its naturalistic and stylized forms, Art Nouveau took the hippie aesthetic by storm.
Dubbed, Art Nouveau or New Art in French, originated during late 1800 where industrial technology was changing day to day life. The art style was first introduced in architecture and interior design, textiles and later influenced everyday objects. In many ways, the art style reflected the changing city life. Art Nouveau is known for the use of long organic lines and often featured feminine figures, peacocks, and plant motifs. The art style flourished in Europe and the United States.
Zodiac By Alphonse Mucha 1896
The 1900 Paris International Exposition, introduced Art Nouveau work from designer Louis Tiffany and other glassware of René Lalique and Émile Gallé. It appeared in graphic arts in the iconic posters of Alphonse Mucha.
Dance By Alphonse Mucha 1898
The Czech artist, Alphonse Mucha would create elaborate advertisement posters and later decorative panels among his other work. He would often depict feminine figures with long flowing hair and different organic patterns that filled the image.
Alphonse Mucha's elegant posters and panels in Art Nouveau would go on to influence a new culture and aesthetic. The 1960s brought on a new culture of its own. With Civil rights and the Vietnam war, on many American minds, many changes were happening. Hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in San Francisco for things like protests and concerts.
The now-famous bands were just getting their start during this time. They were playing new music that would later help define this era. With the booming city filled with young people, bands knew how to advertise through posters but needed a new look to express the band and their music.
A small group of artists where commissioned to help create a new look for the posters. They came up with a new structure that pulled from different design traditions such as comic books, surrealism, and Art Nouveau.
Before this, Art Nouveau was already reemerging somewhat in the hippy aesthetic. Textiles would be adorned with dynamic flower and organic designs. For many designers of the time, Art Nouveau spoke to the changing times and the spirit of the 60s.
Band Poster By Bonnie MacLean 1967
These poster artists began to use Art Nouveau’s flowing feminine and organic motifs and give them a vibrant makeover. The posters where covered edge to edge with cloud-like text and bright color combinations. Many posters even took the same image from the Alfons Mucha posters and stylized them in vibrant contrasting colors and flowing text.
Left: Job By Alphonse Mucha 1896, Right: Big Brother and the Holding Company Poster by Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley (1966)
As a result, the band posters attracted many and gained popularity for the psychedelic look. Many times, the band posters where taken down to be collected. Even the artist became famous from those poster designs. In many ways the posters captured the energy of the 1960s. While the 1800s and the 1960s are otherwise incomparable this art style was able to define them.
Written by Karlin Lojo