"'Night at Candy Manor' was from my 2016 solo show in Los Angeles, 'Phantasmacabre.' I was exploring the intersection of horror and the
macabre with this fairy-tale symbolism. So the idea of the candy house
deep in the forest, from Hansel and Gretel, came into play in this
piece. I was also exploring the idea of symmetry as a way to abstract
the pictorial space and create other meanings. So you have the twin cat 'Dancers' forming a doorway, a portal into this terrifying house. I
think I was exploring my own shadow world and subconscious.
These pieces were
chosen for
Bicycle Day because they all represent an exploration of my inner
worlds: the imagination, the subconscious, as well as our collective
symbolism. For me, using psychedelics also takes me to these worlds, and
these worlds are our collective symbolism, there is a universal quality
to the stories and images that resonate with us.
I think the absolute best
advice about psychedelics is to have respect and intention when you
do them, and perhaps have a guide. They aren’t a “party” drug. I mean I
don’t think of them that way. They are a teacher, but you have to be a
good student. Setting is important, the people around you are important,
and your intention going in is important. Having done them accidentally
the first time, and really against my will the second time, I can
assure you that you don’t want to be flying blind!
I
would also say do some reading, do some research! Have some knowledge
beforehand of what you are even searching for. If you don’t know, that’s
ok! But they are powerful teachers so you have to be respectful of
that. Personally, I like to be in nature and not around a lot of people,
but that’s how I roll anyway. I like to communicate with the plants and
it’s hard to hear them if there’s a lot of people noise around." - Camille Rose Garcia
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