Business Card for the Black Orchid Society
Cleveland: Black Orchid Society, nd. 2 x 3 1/2" sheet of card stock printed in raised black lettering on white card stock.
An original business card for the enterprise run by Peter Laughner and Charlotte Pressler, for the musical activities of Peter Laughner and Pere Ubu. In the upper right hand corner it bears a symbol of a family holding hands in a house, with rays of energy moving outward, and the legend "live better electrically". This was an appropriation of the image and slogan from a mid 50's campaign by the electric industry to promote heavy demand for electricity - a campaign that featured one Ronald Reagan. The card also bears the legend "Towards the 21st Century."
The card bears the address of The Plaza, the legendary Cleveland punk building co-owned by Allen Ravenstine. "it was a really nice old building in a terrible neighborhood. . .we were into this urban pioneer thing, which was a bunch of kids born in the suburbs moving back into the city, because they though the city should live." - David Thomas, quoted in SPIN July 1999. Fascinating evidence of early artistic incorporation and the appropriation and subversion of an advertising campaign.
Very good with a crease to one tip and a touch of soiling. Item #31241
Price: $125.00