High Society

High Society

 Today, my book arrived. A book that took 192 hours to reach my hands from the click of the Amazon "buy" button. The book focuses on the use and spread of so-called recreational drugs. From the ancients to modern times, It is interesting to see how mind-altering drugs have been the target of public hate and shame throughout history, but the are the epicenter of art and great minds. Every great piece of art (pictures, paintings, and literature pieces) has in some way, shape or form been the grand scheme of drugs by display or influence. The book has a combination of paintings, statues, and pictures where homage is paid to different mind-altering drugs. The question that comes to mind is: in what way do these drugs really change perception. But it seems that the reality is based on the changes in the art community. This community grows into its own subculture where their behaviors and actions revolve around whichever drug their group favors. What I find interesting is how these groups vary from drug to drug and can be identified or associated with groups in different ways including the way they speak or dress, giving their subculture a real, concrete presence. A picture I found appealing is on page 47, A male enjoying a rave is exposed with plenty of flying colors and sounds, giving the scene an essence of synesthesia. The way it is depicted, ecstasy seems very appealing in this light.