The present invention includes a multi-electrode structure including a counterelectrode, a display electrode in registry with the counterelectrode and finally an intermediately positioned apertured background electrode. Display material is contained between the counterelectrode and the background electrode. Depending upon the electric field conditions existing between the various electrodes, a display image may be created with a first dark-light contrast relationship relative to a background. An appropriate driving circuit is capable of changing the field relationship between the electrodes so that a reverse contrast relationship appears between a displayed image and its background.