From the Artist:

This piece was inspired by recycled articles in the August 10, 2018 issue of “Times Literary Supplement,” a combination of two articles regarding the biopsychological benefits and recent research in lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD. Splicing articles by both Galen Strawson and Toby Lichtig, the information provided in the art quotes several neurobiological uses for LSD in PTSD and other crippling psychiatric abnormalities. The bicycle overlay pays homage to the very first human acid experience. On April 19, 1943, Albert Hofmann, the Swiss father of psychedelic medicine, dropped lysergic acid diethylamide and went on a bike ride, becoming a historical icon to hippies and psychedelic explorers alike (source). Using 3-dimensional mixed media, I created a physical bicycle chain along with layers of literature recycled with informative intent, along with bright acrylic paints. I broke the piece up in a grid of black glitter-laced acrylic paint to mimic the chemical’s iconic blotter paper stylings. 

All of my artistic representations include literary recycled elements. It is incredibly important to me to find topics, emotions, and conversations that perpetuate learning and information science goals. Each article becomes transformed through my own filter, and the articles produced by periodical print publications breathe new life to information, with a new audience of artistic souls that may not have had access to the literature itself. My goal is to constantly feed information to the world, no matter the context or format – and this particular piece was viscerally powerful by using a controversial “pro-psychedelic neurological research” attitude. 

****

Payton Smith is a local poet and Georgia Southern University student as well as a staff member. She performs spoken word at the Chandler Hollow Studio, and has a poetry chapbook entitled “Rot and Poetry” in the process of publication.