Poster History 1968 - 1972

The first poster of 'Cosmic Relaxation Center Paradiso' was created by one of the founders of Paradiso, Willem de Ridder, in 1968. He designed the poster to promote the opening of Paradiso. De Ridder, known for his graphic work and involvement in the counterculture in Amsterdam, was commissioned to design a poster that would convey the rebellious, innovative, and psychedelic atmosphere of the place.

The poster is a collage of vibrant colors and hypnotic patterns, typical of the psychedelic art of the 1960s. The design featured elements that immediately prepared the viewer for an adventurous experience, something Paradiso as a cultural center was eager to offer. De Ridder often used surrealistic elements to evoke an expanded consciousness aesthetic.

• The image shows a colorful psychedelic light show with liquid slides at Paradiso around 1970.

The poster blended graphic influences from international movements, such as the hippie movement and psychedelic art from San Francisco, with local influences. This was a conscious choice by De Ridder, who positioned Paradiso as a place where international and Dutch pop culture met.

• The image shows the three founders of Paradiso around the time of the opening in 1968. They are Koos Zwart, Willem de Ridder, and Ruud Tegelaar.

He was involved in Fluxus, an avant-garde movement that combined art, anti-art, and anarchism, and contributed to the rise of alternative media such as 'Aloha' and 'Hitweek', underground magazines that appealed to many young people. This added extra significance to the Paradiso poster, as it was not just about promotion, but also about a piece of cultural and social revolution on paper.

• The image shows an advertisement for Paradiso's opening weekend in 1968, featured in 'Hitweek'.

Unfortunately, few posters from the early years of Paradiso have been preserved. Communication about the program was mainly done through advertisements in youth magazines and by painted banners on the outside of the building.

• The image shows a painted banner announcing the Pink Floyd concert in 1968.