/New Art Movement at Its Origin: Paul Olsen Reflects on Six Decades of Influence
– Paul Olsen’s “Stop Art” protest in 1966 is credited with launching the street art movement.
– Olsen collaborated with iconic figures in music, film, and literature over the last sixty years.
– His artistic techniques laid the groundwork for modern special effects in blockbuster films.
– The 60th anniversary of Star Trek coincides with Robin Trower’s use of an album design created by Olsen in 1977.
– Olsen’s upcoming projects include a significant collaboration with Nichelle Nichols to recreate the original Starship Enterprise.
In March 1966, Paul Olsen staged his “Stop Art” protest atop one of San Francisco’s steepest hills, an act that would herald the emergence of a new concept in Street Art. While Banksy was yet to be born, the world was introduced to a bold new art movement. The event garnered global media attention, and the Chronicle’s front-page photo circulated worldwide. Following this adventurous act, Olsen painted fire hydrants in psychedelic colors during the wee hours and showcased his “Pop Art” explosion paintings on Gypsy Rose Lee’s television show.
“STOP ART” WAS JUST THE BEGINNING
Now, sixty years later, Olsen reflects on how ‘Stop Art’ opened doors to an extensive career that has spanned across music, film, literature, and iconic imagery. His journey began in the vibrant Haight/Ashbury district during the 60s alongside Funky Features, and he continued to make a mark in the 70s British rock scene. Notably, he designed the cover art for Robin Trower’s first seven albums, which earned him 4 Gold and 1 Platinum Record. Olsen was also involved in the special effects for the first Star Trek movie, giving the Starship Enterprise its renowned pearlescent “Aztec” surface—a term he coined—and meticulously documented these experiences in his five published books.
Light My Fire, a poster created by Olsen, has been recognized as the best-selling poster in history. After completing the cover for Trower’s In City Dreams in 1977, he preserved another album concept for the musician in his archives. The extraordinary partnership led to a defining moment: “Paul, it’s Ed, how would you like to paint the Starship Enterprise for the first Star Trek movie?”
“Paul gave the Queen of the Galaxy a pearlescent ball gown to knock the spots off anything in the galaxy!” said Nichelle Nichols.
In developing entrance effects for V’Ger in Star Trek, Olsen invented his own “painting with light” technique, which allowed him to create main titles for prominent films such as The Abyss and Terminator 2: Judgment Day under James Cameron’s direction and for directors like Ridley Scott and Francis Ford Coppola years before computer-generated techniques became the norm.
TWO REMARKABLE CIRCLES COMPLETE SIXTY YEARS LATER…
As Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary—and with ‘Stop Art’ marking six decades—Robin Trower has selected the very album design created by Olsen in 1977 for his forthcoming release, Robin Trower Live in Chicago 1977, which is set to debut next year.
Robin is uncanny that way.
Olsen’s connection with Star Trek continues. After connecting with Nichelle Nichols in 2014, they initiated Project Enterprise, aimed at recreating the original Starship Enterprise. Discussions with Paramount, the current owner of the Star Trek intellectual property, about the rebuild are expected soon. This project promises to be a significant Star Trek event featuring comprehensive video documentation, interviews during the build, and tributes to Nichols.
“I loved that incredible woman,” remarked Paul Olsen.
Olsen has chronicled his extensive career in five books, including:
– The Book of Haight (title by Gary Brooker)
– Swinging London Rocks
– The Film Biz
– Creating the Enterprise
– Gauze on 51! (title by Rod Stewart and Kenney Jones)
He has also published The Book of Love, a trio of children’s books, and is currently drafting a work titled Nichelle. Among his future endeavors is a project called Dormouse, which Hasbro predicts “would eclipse Monopoly.”
For further exploration of his journey and artistic contributions, Olsen is available for interviews either in-person or online.
