Image series 29 / 2025: Psychedelic Art
Zeitgeist of the late 1960s
13 July 2025
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By: Bettina Pfleging
In January 1967, protests took place in San Francisco against the ban on the psychedelic drug LSD, which had been legal until then. This marked the beginning of the ‘Summer of Love’ and the high period of psychedelic art. Many artists took up the ideals and themes of this life reform movement in their works. Fantastically colourful imagery is characterised by bright colours, distorted perspectives, surreal elements and a free, unconventional aesthetic.
The exhibition highlights the ideals of early life reform movements from 1900 onwards and traces them throughout the 20th century. Among other things, it comprehensively presents the connections to American counterculture and the flower power movement.
„Para-Modernism. Life Reform Movements from 1900 onwards“
11 April to 10 August 2025, Bundeskunsthalle Bonn
Martin Sharp. Explosion (Jimi Hendrix), Ausschnitt, 1967; DadaWeb, Universität zu Köln, Kunsthistorisches Institut
The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Ausschnitt, 1967, CD-Cover; IKARE, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle, Institut für Kunstgeschichte und Archäologien Europas, Zentralbibliothek
Hapshash and the Coloured Coat. The Soft Machine Turns On, Detailansicht, Ausschnitt, 1967, 75 × 49,3 cm, London; DadaWeb, Universität zu Köln, Kunsthistorisches Institut
Cream, Disraeli Gears, 1967, CD Cover; IKARE, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle, Institut für Kunstgeschichte und Archäologien Europas, Zentralbibliothek
Michael McInnerney. UFO Dusk to Dawn, Ausschnitt, 1967, 75,4 × 50 cm, London; DadaWeb, Universität zu Köln, Kunsthistorisches Institut
Lee Conklin. Bill Graham Presents Canned Heat, Gordon Lightfoot, Cold Blood, Lights by Holy See, Ausschnitt, 1968, 53,4 × 35,5 cm, London; DadaWeb, Universität zu Köln, Kunsthistorisches Institut
Victor Moscoso. Neon Rose #12, Chambers Brothers, Ausschnitt, 1967, 51 × 35,5 cm; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
Martin Cook. Binder, Edwards & Vaughn, Cobra mit Dudley und Dog, Ausschnitt, 1966, Giclée-Druck, 32,9 × 34,6 cm; ConedaKOR Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut
