How 1960s Psychedelic Graphics Borrowed from Art Nouveau
A Vox video highlights the overlooked debt of 1960s psychedelic graphic style to Art Nouveau. The hippy aesthetic—curved lines, bright colors, distorted lettering, natural motifs—was born in San Francisco from designers making concert posters and album covers for artists like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. This style later spread worldwide, defining a cultural movement. The video points out that its visual language strongly echoes Art Nouveau, which emerged in Europe at the end of the 19th century.
Key facts
- Psychedelic graphic style of the 1960s-70s is indebted to Art Nouveau.
- Style originated in San Francisco from designers creating concert posters and album covers.
- Artists associated include Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix.
- Style features curved lines, bright colors, distorted lettering, natural motifs.
- Art Nouveau emerged in Europe at the end of the 19th century.
- Vox published the video highlighting this connection.
- The style spread globally and characterized the hippy movement.
Entities
Artists
- Grateful Dead
- Janis Joplin
- Jimi Hendrix
Institutions
- Vox
- Artribune
Locations
- San Francisco
- United States
- Europe