1970s Silver Foil Op Art Poster by Don Schmela | Psychedelic Moiré

Here we have a masterclass in optical aggression in form of a "Psych-Foil" poster by graphic artist Don Schmela. Emerging from the high-contrast, clinical fever dream of the early 1970s, this piece is less of a decoration and more of a visual interrogation. Utilizing a heavy, industrial-grade silver foil substrate, Schmela’s composition relies on the Moiré effect to manipulate the viewer's perception. As one traverses the room, the obsidian line-work appears to dilate and pulse, creating a kinetic illusion of movement that shifts with the ambient light. It is a sterile, reflective artifact that captures the atmospheric tension of the era. It’s a bridge between the psychedelic counter-culture and the cold, geometric precision of mid-century design. Cold clocked! Finding these survivors without terminal creasing or flaking foil is a rarity; they were the fragile residents of smoke-filled rooms and dimly lit dens, now distilled into a singular statement piece. The psychedelic poster came out of an archive out of the Brown & Bigelow archives. It is a genuine artifact of the 1960s/70s transition. Perfect for a space that values the intersection of the classical and the head shop. The rare underground hippie poster measures 37" tall by 24 1/2" wide. The silver foil remains reflective with only the most marginal evidence of its fifty-year history. There is no major delamination, heavy cracking, or distracting oxidation "foxing" often found in unbacked foil survivors.. Please see all pics as they are part of the description. I ship FedEx to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO boxes). The poster will be rolled in a poster tube. Free shipping on the 1970s underground poster. Psychedelic Ops!