New York Rave Flyers, 1991-1995

A collection of reproduced rave flyers produced for events in New York between 1991 and 1995, drawn from the collection of Ernie Villalobos.

Flyers were critical to the spread of rave culture pre-internet. The dissemination of the printed pieces gave ravers information on where and when promoters would be organizing parties. To stand out, events needed to have distinctive artwork, illustrations, and/or typography.

The flyers are also important documents of subculture organizing, documenting locales, dates, artists, and organizations that were part of the rave community in New York City. The DIY graphics and underground ephemera define a moment in time. 

Published by Colpa Press, 2020

88 pages, full-color digital, 5.5 × 8.5 inches