Furthur Magic: A Psychedelic Poster Journey, April and May 2021
In partnership with San Francisco Recreation and Parks, the Haight Street Art Center is excited to present Furthur Magic: A Psychedelic Poster Journey. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Golden Gate Park, this exhibition explores psychedelic poster art of the 1960s, especially in the Haight, psychedelic events in Golden Gate Park, and the ongoing legacy of the psychedelic events and styles pioneered in both places.
April 15th to May 16th, Thu-Sun 11am-5pm, at the County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park, 1199 9th Avenue.
While hallucinogens have long been a source of artistic creativity, the 1960s brought a renewed interest in the potentially mind-enhancing effects of drugs like marijuana and LSD. Members of San Francisco\’s countercultural movements experimented with these substances, and with new ways of expressing themselves in graphic and print media, perhaps most notably through posters for festivals, music performances, and other gatherings.
Furthur Magic considers the central role that Golden Gate Park and the local Haight-Ashbury neighborhood played in the development of the psychedelic movement. In January of 1967, notable figures of San Francisco\’s counterculture came together for readings and performances in the Park. The \”Human Be-In\” remains one of the most iconic moments of that time.
This exhibition also includes contemporary examples of psychedelic poster art from Levitation, a record label and festival organizer based in Austin, Texas, and the California-based band, Moonalice. Both sets of posters are a reminder of the powerful visual legacy left by the psychedelic posters of the 1960s – and the perennial search for experiences that expand the mind and promote creative expression.
The exhibition will also include historical photographs by Eugene Anthony, Herbie Greene, and Lisa Law, as well as a video installation by Bill Ham. The exhibition will be supplemented by text and audio, with insights from world-renowned journalist Ben Fong-Torres.
FOUR SQAURE PAINTING PLACEMENTS – 18,432 Possibilities
BILL HAM\’s acrylic paintings on canvas follow in the lineage of ‘Abstract Expressionism,’ with a nod to Jackson Pollock. And, while referencing this post World War II art movement, Bill has gone farther in development of techniques, defining his paintings as ‘Gestural Abstraction.’ Importantly, the artist applies painterly gestures while the canvas is positioned on a low flat surface or flooring. Mr. Ham works from all sides as he develops the imagery from his overhead viewpoint and position. As a result, the client can choose and change the viewpoint of their purchased artwork. Top, bottom, left, or right are no longer applicable to the position and installation of his art. The options for placement of his paintings are myriad; as an example, please refer to his “Four Square Paintings” shown below.
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- Bill Ham Paintings Square arrangement samples-3, original photograph by Lawrence Lauterborn, photo edited by emi
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- Bill Ham Paintings Square arrangement samples-1, original photograph by Lawrence Lauterborn, photo edited by emi
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- Bill Ham Paintings Square arrangement samples-2, original photograph by Lawrence Lauterborn, photo edited by emi
1) For 4 square shaped paintings there are 3 different symmetrical rectangle layouts.
2) For each of the layouts there are 6144 possible combinations.
The calculations for each layout are the same.
There are 4 possible paintings for the first position.
It can be placed in 4 directions.
There are 3 possible paintings for the second position.
It can be placed in 4 directions.
There are 2 possible paintings for the third position.
It can be placed in 4 directions.
There is 1 possible painting for the last position.
It can be placed in 4 directions.
The calculation is to multiply all possible combinations.
4 X 4 X 3 X 4 X 2 X 4 X 1 X 4 = 6,144
3) The total number of possible paintings for 4 rectangle paintings is: 18,432.
The calculation is the number of layouts multiplied by the number of possible combinations per layout.
4 X 6,144 = 18,432
Concept by Bill Ham, Calculation by Gary Gilley
420 Gathering of the Tribe Shelter-In-Place
The show was cancelled due to Covid-19
Light Painting by Bill Ham, poster art by emi