Found this entertaining (and interesting) summary of an experiment in the 1950s whereby an artist was given a dose of LSD and given free reign with an ‘activity box’ of art supplies.
‘Outlines seem normal, but very vivid – everything is changing colour. My hand must follow the bold sweep of the lines. I feel as if my consciousness is situated in the part of my body that’s now active – my hand, my elbow… my tongue’.
Furthermore, here is a discussion on art and drugs on CGtalk.
Van Gogh was a heavy user of Absinthum (the real thing), which is a rather strong psichodelic substance. One of it effects is a change in colour perception called Xantopsy, which makes the person under the substance effect to have a deeper perception of yellow and even see some things that are of other colours in yellow. Some people claim that the painting Starry Night was deeply affected by it.
What do you think; do drugs inspire or hinder the creation of art?
Looking at the art world today (including the music world), it’s clear that recreational drugs certainly have a very strong influence, both positive and negative, probably.
I think they certainly have the capacity to ‘inspire’, if I can use that word, and can produce results that may be more adventurous and boundary-pushing than otherwise – which could be taken as good thing.
There’s also the fact that the use of psychedelic drugs is rooted deep within our society, stretching back through history, and has deep ties with spirituality.
So I guess recreational drug use in the art world does tend to spread the art spectrum a little further.
Actually, I don’t know what I’m talking about 😛
yes … and i woodnt know either :p