Contra Galleries and Theta Spring Hypnosis will present the new exhibit The Subconscious Canvas: Art Through Hypnosis on February 22nd. The show, which is open and free to the public, will run through March 9th.
There will be an opening night cocktail party to introduce the body of work created by New York artists under hypnosis on February 22 from 5 PM to 9 PM.
The Subconscious Canvas was inspired Theta Spring’s CEO Alexandra Janelli’s who had first hypnotized artist Crystal Dyer in 2013. During the 2017 hypnosis workshop, 8 artists underwent hypnosis in the Himalayan salt room luxury health and wellness center Modrn Sanctuary. The artists were then provided with a recording of the session, which they were asked to listen to prior to creating art. Over the course of 9 weeks, the participating artists embraced the hypnotic experience that provided them with a source of inspiration and access to their subconscious mind.
“Our goal was to outline what happens when you let go of the logical conscious mind and become guided by our subconscious, which is purely reactive, creative, instinctual and behavior driven,” explained Janelli. “I had hypnotized Crystal (Dyer) back in November of 2012 and her subsequent created under hypnosis was very different than her conscious style. We decided to try this experiment with a group of different artists to see how they react to hypnosis and what it would unveil in their pieces, and their subconscious.”
“This is the first time that Contra has hosted a show of this nature,” said co-owner Matt Contra. “Prior to meeting Alexandra (Janelli), I wasn’t familiar with the practices of hypnosis. I am particularly curious how it will affect the creative mind and the works by these artists, many of whom I am already familiar.”
The Subconscious Canvas
Contra Galleries
122 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 22nd, 2018, from 5 PM– 9 PM
Exhibit Dates: February 22nd thru March 9th, 2018
Hours: Monday thru Friday, from 9 AM – 9 PM
Cost: FREE