New immersive exhibition dedicated to psychedelic drugs set to open soon

Toronto is getting a new immersive exhibition dedicated entirely to psychedelic drugs.

Psychedelics: The Experiential Exhibition, which will explore the past, present and future of psychedelics, is set to open on Sept. 30 at the completely transformed Lithuanian House (1573 Bloor St. W.).

Dubbed a “unique audiovisual ‘edutainment’ experience, the exhibition will feature three floors of original works from 22 artists from around the world, including GMUNK, Clandestinos, Brotherhood of Light, and many more.

“We’re seeing significant change in the way psychedelic substances are used and perceived. The testimonials are undeniable: patients with serious mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety or addiction are trying psychedelic therapies — when nothing else has worked — and reporting life-altering benefits,” says James Drayton, the producer of Psychedelics: The Experiential Exhibition. “My goal with the show is to, first and foremost, provide guests with an entertaining and eye-opening experience. My hope is that it also encourages learning, dialogue, and ultimately, destigmatization.”

According to press information, the psychedelics exhibition will take visitors through a series of curated spaces, “each devoted to a different psychedelic substance and its historical or traditional uses.” The, ahem, trip begins in Ancient Greece with a psychoactive brew and continues straight through to Ken Kesey’s acid tests of the ’60s ending with an exploration of LSD’s current role as a promising therapy for mental health conditions.

The Joshua Light Show on the two platforms suspended off the rear theater wall at Fillmore East with their 2 tons of equipment. From left to right: Jane Rixmann, Cecily Hoyt, Bill Schwarzbach, Joshua White, Ken Richman. Above, Thomas Shoesmith.

Some of the show’s highlights include an immersive peyote installation by the Latin–Canadian artistic duo Clandestinos as well as a recreation of a 1960s Bay Area Acid Test, with mesmerizing liquid light visuals by Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead collaborators Brotherhood of Light and Liquid Light Lab.

The big feature of the exhibition is described as a “fully immersive audiovisual installation” by internationally renowned artist GMUNK. “The large-scale installation guides participants through a nine-minute ‘ayahuasca ceremony,’ channelled via a shamanic totem and featuring GMUNK’s signature lighting, sound, lasers, and projection mapping of the fully activated light sculpture.”

Seems interesting.

The exhibition runs Wednesdays through Sundays. For more information go to the Psychedelics Show website.