October 29, 2012

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Artist Draws Self Portraits for Dozens of Drugs. Good or Bad?

By Cassie Rodenberg

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

An artist drew dozens of self-renderings while under the influence of varying drugs, and the series has found its way to a scrollable media platform where it's touted as "all kinds of cool". Check it out. Commenters congratulate the artist; point out hilarity they find in some of the work; empathize with some of the drugs' effects; and request that he not die.

This series, is it something to be admired, to further our conception of these substances? Or is it car-crash, shock and awe media? Does this form of art confirm or negate the seriousness of drug use and the struggles of those coping with chronic dependency and addiction?

An artist statement:

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“After experiencing drastic changes in my environment, I looked for other experiences that might profoundly affect my perception of the self. So I devised another experiment where everyday I took a different drug and drew myself under the influence. Within weeks I became lethargic and suffered mild brain damage. I am still conducting this experiment but over greater lapses of time. I only take drugs that are given to me.”
-- Artist Bryan Lewis Saunders

About Cassie Rodenberg

I write, I listen, I research, I tell stories. Mostly just listen. I don't think we listen without judgment enough. I explore marginalized things we like to ignore. Addiction and mental illness is The White Noise behind many lives -- simply what Is. Peripherals: I write on culture, poverty, addiction and mental illness in New York City, recovering from stints as a chemist and interactive TV producer. During the day, I teach science in South Bronx public school.

More by Cassie Rodenberg

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