Many factors took place that made rock poster a true American art form. American society was sinking in conformity and grew so accustomed to it’s commodities, that a rock rebellious movement was bound to happen. The idea of a subculture rose along side with new music forms and with this music, rock shows, and as a form of advertising for these shows, the rock poster was born.

Posters are yet another form of advertising, but rock posters are a very peculiar form of advertising, they can rise above that and take the ‘art’ status. With a very different approach from conventional advertising, rock posters deny the idea of homogenizing the masses, rock posters instead create an idea of community far beyond consumerism and conformity. Good rock posters have that “HA!” factor, that idea that you get “it”, and by you getting “it” you become part of a subculture that is different from your daily reality.

These are the main things that a rock poster is, a form of mass advertising, and a form of creating a subculture identity. Two very opposing concepts that somehow find a meeting place in the rock poster.

I know is a very weird concept but a great movie to watch to better understand what this is all about is American Artifact: The Rise of American Poster Art. In this movie, director Merle Becker hits the road, interviewing some of the greatest Poster Artists of today. Following a chronological structure of how the American Poster was born and how it evolved into what it is today. Beginning with the great Hatch Show print to the movement of the 60’s following to the punk movement in the 80’s to today’s great American poster renaissance.

A Great movie that not only reflects the history of posters, but the history of a nation that can be retold and understood by looking at the great poster collection shown in this movie.

A great movie to watch if you are a music lover or a poster enthusiasts. It will be shown as a special AIGA Austin screening this Wednesday at 7pm at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz.

For more information you can check out the Movie’s page or the Alamo Drafthouse page.

:::::::::::::::::::::: UPDATE :::::::::::::::::::::

The AIGA San Antonio will be doing a Screening of this movie as part of their “Critical Lens” movie series on May 31st at the Blue Star for more information go to their FB page