grown-up decorating with rock-n-roll posters
Reading about 1960s counterculture poster artist Alton Kelley, who just passed away at age 67, reminded me of a great, affordable way to decorate: concert posters. Kelley’s iconic works for groups like The Grateful Dead aren’t exactly my style, but we do have a few rock-n-roll posters in our art collection. Two are the work of Frank Kozik, signed and numbered prints I purchased in San Francisco in the mid-90s before I had any idea who he was. (Incidentally, you can still get them online.) Displayed in our dining room is a poster by Print Mafia purchased at a Yo La Tengo concert in Newport, KY in 2004. Obviously the framing ratchets up the total price a bit — I think our frame job cost around $99. But not only do we love the poster design, it’s a great memento of a very enjoyable evening.
If you’d rather shop online, there are myriad sources. Gig Posters has a mind-boggling display of independently designed posters. Check their selection of posters for sale like this graphically pleasing piece for Minus the Bear. Independent sellers also abound, such as Black Dog Posters, who always have a great selection of high-end design that can be purchased through eBay listings or directly from the seller. (Can’t help but love the meat posters.) And if you’re into pure nostalgia (including the early works of Alton Kelley), check out the posters for sale at Rock Posters & Collectibles or the auctions at The HeART of Rock and Roll — original Beatles, Hendrix and, yes, Grateful Dead posters, priced by rarity and condition. –Mary T.
June 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
For Christmas, I got my husband a Melvins poster from Strawberryluna (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=9910), mounted it on foam core board, and hung it up in my bedroom. I love it!
June 9th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I used some really cheap plastic box frames for a series of five posters from the Black Crowes run at the Fillmore in 2005; the frames were a bit too wide so I cut black paper to the size of the frames and used photo tabs to hold the posters in place on the black paper. The black recedes, especially since the frames are all butted against each other. I’ve used that trick on a couple of framing projects where the frame was a bit too big for the item being framed.
I suppose that doesn’t really fit in with the “grown-up” plan, of course! Grown-ups get real framing, right?
June 9th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
I had so many posters collected in college that you couldn’t see my wall. Godfather next to Nirvana; Grace Kelly next to Scarface; it was a strange time.
I love love love your Yo La Tengo.