The 80s are an interesting period for psychedelic aesthetics. Hippies were declared outdated by punk rock in the 70s and after that psychedelic aesthetics had to blend with the images of the time to stay relevant. And they did — with great success. A lot of the visual tropes of psychedelic aesthetics had already established themselves in visual culture. Straight lines and plain surfaces now cooled down the arabesque imagination of the 60s, yet still shapes constantly morphed into each other and lines began dancing out of nowhere. What used to be associated with the influence of mind altering substances now got linked to limitless possibilities of new technology and media.
Archive by Author
“The 7th Element” by Vitas
5 Jul
Vitas (Vitalii Vladasovich Grachyov) is a russian fashion designer, movie as well as stage actor and professional tenor (who’s voice is said to span 5 octaves). His space hippie opera was pretty popular both in Russia and China at the time.
“Kaputt” by Destroyer
28 JunBeautiful and equally silly video by Dawn Carol Garcia for Destroyers “Kaputt”.
“Supper’s ready” by Genesis (live 1974)
14 Jun
Another epic display of well-mannered madness by the lovely (early prog version of) Genesis. (also: witness Peter Gabriel transform from a very early proto goth into a beautiful flower)
“Hard Bodies” by KATAPULTO
7 JunThe video Joe Evans & Wojtek Rusin made for “Hard Bodies” by KATAPULTO (Wojtek Rusin’s sole music project) has plenty of that early MTV otherworldliness.
“Sudden” by Stellar OM Source
23 Maytrippy acid house track from the recent nite-glo ep by experimental synth artist Stellar OM Source.
Futuridium EP
10 May
The heritage of the Stargate sequence is (once more) strong in this decidedly psychedelic shooter.
The Daily Psychedelic Video 