Incredible Poetry | 1968

Incredible Poetry, 1968, by Victor Moscoso

This 1968 poster, titled "Incredible Poetry," was designed by Victor Moscoso as part of his renowned Neon Rose series. The artwork features two overlapping lips, reminiscent of a speaking mouth, with the word "incredible" inscribed inside. A cascade of tiny pink and green stars descends from the top, creating a dynamic visual effect. The lower portion of the poster displays 3D block letters detailing the event's specifics, including the names of participating poets, the venue, and the date. At the bottom, yellow text provides the collection's name, address, and Moscoso's signature.

This poster was created to promote the opening night of a weeklong series of poetry readings held on June 8, 1968, at the Nourse Auditorium in San Francisco, California. The event featured prominent poets such as Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Michael McClure, who gathered to present their work. The Nourse Auditorium, now known as the Sydney Goldstein Theater, served as a significant cultural venue during this period. Notably, June 8, 1968, was marked by the burial of Robert Kennedy and the arrest of James Earl Ray for the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., events that underscored the turbulent social climate of the time. 

Victor Moscoso, born in 1936 in Vilaboa, Spain, is a distinguished artist recognized for his contributions to the psychedelic art movement of the 1960s. After relocating to the United States, he studied at Cooper Union in New York City and later at Yale University under the tutelage of Josef Albers. Moscoso's innovative use of offset lithography and DayGlo inks in his poster designs, particularly in the Neon Rose series, has left a lasting impact on graphic design.