Traffic
Artist
David Edward Byrd
United States, 1941 - 2025
Date1968
MediumOffset Lithograph
Dimensions22 x 14 1/4 in. (55.9 x 36.2 cm)
ClassificationsPoster
Credit LinePoster House Permanent Collection
Object numberPH.677
DescriptionA particularly American phenomenon, the psychedelic style (1966–72) emerged on the West Coast and quickly became a signifier of youth counterculture. Inspired by the use of hallucinogens, the designs combine contrasting colors with nearly illegible, swirling text—supposedly best viewed when high. In many cases, the compositions are so complex that some viewers cannot decipher them at first glance, bucking the idea that posters must be instantly and universally comprehensible. Many of the artists also draw on Art Nouveau and Victorian motifs. Contrary to popular myth, all of these posters were printed using photo-offset lithography—the cheapest method of mass printing at the time.On View
On view
