turn on, tune in, 2024

audio: garageband and adobe audition
visuals: lumen and resolume arena
exhibition display: projection mapped onto slanted screen with headphones playing audio in stereo

timothy leary's 1964 guide, "the psychedelic experience," aimed to elevate consciousness through drug use. however, seven years later, the us government launched the "war on drugs," driving such experimentation underground.

in 2017, the fda's approval of mdma for experimental therapy for trauma marked a turning point, igniting the current 'psychedelic renaissance.' interest in psychedelic therapy for mental health has surged since then, though accessibility remains a barrier.

for those without access, alternative paths to altered states of consciousness exist, including meditation, intentional breathing, and curated sound experiences. the immersive space created by this project provides a gateway to explore these avenues, offering a moment of peace amid life's complexities.

audio created in garageband and adobe audition plays through over-ear headphones. it was made taking inspiration from binaural beats, and is intended to help listeners easily relax into a meditative state. the projected visuals serve a similar functional purpose. aesthetically, they nod to the rainbows and trippy patterns common in psychedelia, but toned down to avoid being disruptive.

the visuals originated in lumen video synthesizer and were fed into resolume arena for additional effects, which were projected live and reacted to the audio track, creating a unique experience every time.