Summary:

Who are we and what are we doing? These fundamental questions have no obvious answer and only by drawing influence from outside one’s physical existence can they be answered. This project intends to bridge that concept from our minds to a physical reality.

Philosophy:

 

The House of Psychonautics presents a simple idea: all of existence and non-existence is inherently connected through the power of consciousness.  Simply, the project is a pagoda housing a meditator drawing from the tradition of “The Secret of the Golden Flower,” an ancient Eastern text concerning conscious thought and the path to enlightenment.  This pagoda brings attention to this duality of the universe with the physical structure and the consciousness of the meditator.  This building exists to protect that which is most precious and unique to humanity: consciousness.  Symbolically, this building will represent the yin and yang of the universe.

This piece shows a door, once through that door one will view a master meditating and in this meditation, see the master’s self-image which is replicating all influential people of human history across the intimate space. Myriad images of influential people each being derived by the original master as the energy of thought, characterized as a kind of smoke that moves through all of them. An observer would walk through this space, seeing the master at work, have an opportunity to visit with each of the influential people and then come to a mirror… and not just any mirror, a true reflection mirror. For many people, this will be the first time that they are able to see themselves as they truly are and provide an opportunity for self-exploration of their psyche.

Physical:

 

A Chinese wooden single tier pagoda with ten sides that will burn. The eave will project far and create a canopy around the structure that will act as porch space. Inside the space will reveal the wooden structure that is supporting the roof and encasing each of the ten sides. Each side will have a small enclosed space to create an intimate area for meeting each of the influential thinkers. Many influentials weren't peacemakers; they charismatically lead a crowds in a destructive path for preservation and peace. Representing individuals like Buddah, the Dali Lama next to Hitler, Mussolini and Pol Pot; then next to individuals like Albert Einstein, Aristotle, Netwon, McKenna, Chomsky and The Beatles… all as individuals we’re capable of understanding, being and feeling compassionate towards. The floor of the space will be organized boards of lumber to triangulate the sides of the pagoda to a focal point in the center of the structure. In the center of the space will be the master meditator sculpture of large scale. The master will be imagining its self image which will be imagining the entire structure. An observer would walk through this space, seeing the master at work, have an opportunity to visit with each of the influential people and then come to a mirror… a true reflection mirror. For many people, this will be the first time that they are able to see themselves as they truly are and provide an opportunity for self-exploration of their psyche.

Mission:

The House of Psychonautics will exist in every form to engage people in at their deepest intellectual understanding and challenge their awareness. This piece will shatter ideas of commodifying anything as it will aim to reveal that we are our own worst enemy and our only hope to ever finding balance amongst ourselves. That being said this piece will primarily showcase the power of participation through collaboration. Collaborating with performers, thinkers, lecturers and hosting all kinds of ritual in the piece. It will be an academy of sorts working with all who share the interest of enhancing humanity through consciousness and in turn, exploration of consciousness and sensation. Collaborating further in its highly coordinated burn event that will showcase the talent of many artist and other individuals to create a truly magical burn that will burn deep into the collective memory of all who are present.

Budget Scale:

This project is very scaleable. It could just be a pagada with images of influentials on the inside or in full plan, would utilize map'd projectors.