Stylized and geometric illustration of head and shoulders in black on a black and white striped background.

Klaus Nomi, born Klaus Sperber, was a German musician and performer, known for his wide vocal range and unique live shows. He moved to New York City in 1972, but did not truly begin his career in show business until 1978, when he performed in the New Wave Vaudeville and received several invitations to perform across the city. One such invitation came from David Bowie, who hired Nomi as a backup performer for his appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1979. Bowie also served as inspiration for Nomi's notable black-and-white monochromatic quasi-tuxedo suit, which he wore for music videos and live performances. Nomi found success as a solo artist and released two studio albums in 1981 and 1982, as well as several singles. In 1983, he died due to complications from AIDS, and his ashes were spread throughout New York City. 

Illustration of party streamers and confetti on a white background.

Easy Aces, Inc. was a producer of “fun and innovative” kitchen tools, party goods, tech products, and personal accessories, including pin-back buttons. Though they now call themselves Fred and Friends, Easy Aces, Inc. continues to operate out of Cumberland, Rhode Island and solicit local artists for product designs. Back in the 1970s and 1980s, the company sought out photographers, illustrators, and graphic designers to collaborate on pin-back buttons. One such artist who partnered with Easy Aces, Inc. was Barbara Bergman, who developed a confetti-based design in 1979.

Illustration of red anchor in center with blue nautical rope design border around edge of button on a white background.

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Illustration of a flathead wood screw on white background with black border around edge of button.

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Yellow triangle, thin orange line, and area of white polka dots on a blue background.

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Abstract illustration of circles, a white stripe and black wavy lines against a background of red and white.

Back of button says 6/79 found on Tumblr page referencing Button Museum YB 4/17/21

Blue and red triangles, a black circle and yellow geometric shape on a white background.

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Optical art style spiral in purple on a white background.

The design pattern here is in the style of Op Art, an art movement and abbreviation of “optical art”. The term comes from a 1964 Time Magazine article on the artistic experiments of French-Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely, otherwise known as the “grandfather” of Op Art. These experiments began in the 1930s and came to define the movement—Vasarely’s interest in color, line, science, and optics resulted in an art style reliant on the trompe l’oeil, or, translated from the French, the “deception of the eye.” The style became popular due to its engaging and accessible nature and was incorporated into popular culture and design trends. Retrospectively, the spirals, swirls, and bright colors of Op Art seem almost synonymous with the 1960s and 70s, drawing to mind an age of psychedelics and counter culture with its hypnotic, groovy aspects. 

Op art, at its best, points out the subjectivity of human perception. The design on this button is no different.

Background is divided two-thirds blue, one-third purple with a white stripe, red and white circle, yellow triangle and two solid black circles on blue side, outlined black circles along inside edge of purple side.

Have info on this button? Contact us here.

Red ring, black circle, angled green line and a black grid on a white and partially yellow background.

Have info on this button? Contact us here.