What relevance do the exploration of consciousness and wellbeing technology have to crypto, NFTs and the metaverse? Quite a lot as you do explore the internal as much from the personal, political, philosophical etc. We get to those topics but not in the pump hype way. To lay the groundwork it takes a bit of time but its worth it. This is what we explore in VESA podcast ep II with Garnet.
From surface to the depths
On the surface, these two men have only nominal connections and superficial crossroads. VESA the artist and Garnet the innovator. As soon as the surface was scratched, this episode of the VESA Podcast launched into the mystery of all the tools we possess to observe our consciousness. The structures of our belief systems and milestone events that shape our story. What exactly is this Vizor device? What does it have to do with digital art and our mechanisms of healing? This and more, in this episode of the VESA Podcast with Garnet Dubuis.
60’s revolution – but make it sober
‘The reason I did the is that it helps’ Garnet says. Tantalisingly tagged as electronic microdosing, from the outside the device is a simple looking screen that is placed over the eyes after taking a restful position. The device then emits light in a rhythmic manner, which often results in the person experiencing it to observe patterns and colours generated by their mystical brain. For those familiar with the psychedelic experience, these patterns and colours look very similar to the ones seen under the influence of a psychedelic substance. It taps into something that is not even tickled through traditional talking therapy, yet it is done in a completely sober state. Sounds too good to be true?
But in fact, many who have experienced the process, profess its benefits. VESA and Lotta have tried the apparatus on two separate occasions. VESA shared the scenario of the first experience, which happened very soon after him and his wife had faced the unbearable tragedy of losing their healthy, full-term child in childbirth due to medical negligence. The shock was such a reverberating envelope around them that the Vizor experience didn’t penetrate quite as impressively, as it did the second time around.
The second time the full spectrum fractal patterns, colours, and visuals, whipped together with the loving presence of the universe were all present. The vagus nerve was smoothed over, the grounding was reset.
Honesty is the best policy
Many of the topics discussed passed through the notion of honesty. In pursuing different spiritual practices, in delving into altered states of consciousness – a term Garnett rightly does not endorse due to the ‘us and them’ attitude it purveys. Honesty runs through the conversation in pursuing creativity as a career, in how we see the potential of technology.
Garnett shared his experience of divorcing a second time, and how that tore apart the notion that nothing truly difficult would ever happen to him, because he is a decent, well-meaning person. To a certain extent, this illusion of safety and our possibility to alter the course of events by our choices is highly necessary for us to move about in the world, but brought to the boiling point, we are faced with hard questions and honest answers.
Both VESA and Garnett agreed that we need honesty in our social culture, now more than in a lifetime. In our habits, our actions, our spiritual practices and how we plan to make a living – being genuine and forthcoming is the antidote to nihilism and social splitting. Regardless of who we associate with, may we recognize those who stand on the same side with us when it comes to honesty and integrity.
Link to Vizr
New Senses works
What does it look like if you get a mountain top view to your dreams inside of your mind, body and spirit before they happen?
Many photography sessions focus primarily on the look. In Senses, the look follows a protocol in which we explore the inner world, which naturally results in the outer world feeling and looking good.
Can you spot the deliberate asymmetrical elements?
The Senses series continues with
What can you do if your environment has been incredibly toxic since a small child? Being bullied in school, and been raped several times later, etc. What is possible when those close to you have been the source of the opposite of what we normally would consider healthy. If those with the most intimate access to you, abuse that natural bond. When you tell people your story, they will understand. You will have plenty of excuses if you choose to live through them. You might even feel like you deserve what ever bad things will keep repeating itself in your life later on. The circle of the Stockholm syndrome is completing, but is there hope?
In our session with Rosa, the dark part of the story of this incredibly bubbly, expressive, and energetic woman, was manifesting as a spider inside her. The juxtaposition of her positive spirit to what she was being held captive by, was tangible. Her expression in her various collaborations previously has a direct confrontational, even celebratory feel to the demonic alternative and dark. The expressive path can be what ever we choose, but to me, it felt important to also offer an alternative.
The brave, and potentially liberating thing to do confront your fears to overcome them. We worked on becoming present, showing up to yourself in a loving way, and getting that spider out of her mouth, so the water can bring in a new spring. The blood can nurture a new flowering.
Hopefully it serves as a beacon to her, as well as others on what is possible, if you set your intention to it. I celebrate you Rosa, and very happy we collaborated. More works, reaching for the light, are coming.
Model:
There isn’t a soul I know who does not go through some unique or general set of challenges. In my conversation and process with Amanda , we discovered that her OCD was giving her a hard time. She arrived to the set a bit tired and clearly warn down by the most recent struggle with it. There is commanding voice she had that makes her do things that allow her then to leave a moment in peace. In this process we explored this voice, played with it until laughter and made an artwork to overcome it. In this piece called Heel, the voice has been reduced to an obedient dragon dog, which is now a source of power to her, rather than the lead. She walks on water to her dreams, but the background is mixed with the grounding Finnish birch tree, which is the palm tree of the north.
Her aspirations toward Miss competitions is supported by this gentle feel, yet the pose is of confident power, remembering her support network. The XO, hugs and kisses, is a reminder that our real strength comes from love, but it’s also a middle finger to the haters. The golden letters dress her from love and healthy boundary armour. Reversed, OX refers to learning your minds operating system through practices like NLP, so you can harness your best life in what ever way you see fit.
Thank you Amanda for having the courage to confront your challenges head on, and making them your bitch. Heel to heal. Head to toes. Onward to what ever you deem your success.
Model:
There are a variety of print options available also for the Senses series upon negotiation.
Once more the podcast links:
See you in the spatial,
VESA & Lotta
Crypto & NFT Artist
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below