Fractal analysis is a very well known art analysis technique. Since modern day research on psychedelic drugs gained a lot of limelight, I decided to apply the fractal analysis technique to analyze some paintings by an artist who is in a LSD trip. I found that the fractal dimension of the paintings increase as the artist moves into a psychedelic state of mind. I presented this research in the 2019 Bridges conference on Mathematical Art.

1. Debanuj Chatterjee

2. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

3. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
1. Hallucinogenic drug.
2. Effects start fromm about half an
hour and lcan last upto 12 hours.
3. LSD is not addictive.
4. It mainly binds with serotonin
receptors and makes some neurons fire
constantly causing hallucinations
5. Recently LSD research has been
revived for potential uses in
understanding psychological disorders.

4. Visual perception under LSD
Distortion
The Hallucinogens by A Hoffer
and H Osmond
Blurring
Higher frequencies introduced Imperfect reproduction of shapes

5. Visual perception under LSD
Normal room Distorted room

6. Visual perception under LSD
Additional hallucination
The Hallucinogens by A Hoffer
and H Osmond
ribbons lacework smoke
(contribution to higher frequency components)

7. Visual perception under LSD
Additional hallucination
double helix Francis Crick
(Nobel prize 1962)

8. Oscar Janiger's research : 1954-1962
1918-2001
Experimental psychiatrist at
University of California Irvine.
Book : LSD, Spirituality and the
Creative Process

9. Janiger's experiment with artists
Original Kachina doll painting
LSD, Spirituality and the Creative
Process by O Janiger, M D Rios

10. Janiger's experiment with artists
Original Kachina doll painting
LSD, Spirituality and the Creative
Process by O Janiger, M D Rios
Cary Grant (film star)
Why not be a better
artist with free LSD

11. Before taking LSD
Artist 1 Artist 2
LSD, Spirituality and the Creative
Process by O Janiger, M D Rios

12. After taking LSD
Artist 1 Artist 2
LSD, Spirituality and the Creative
Process by O Janiger, M D Rios

13. Face palm moment!
What kind of art is that??

14. Carl Hertel's analysis in 1971
Under LSD paintings are :
brighter, more abstract, non-
representational, space filling.

15. Carl Hertel's analysis in 1971
Under LSD paintings are :
brighter, more abstract, non-
representational, space filling.

16. Fractal analysis of non-representational art
(Courtesy : www.jackson-pollock.org)

17. Jackson Pollock
Blue Poles, 1952

18. Taylor and group's analysis of Pollock's paintings :
1. Paintings are fractals.
2. The fractal dimension is characrteristic to the painter.

19. Les Automatistes movement
(Courtesy : www.ici.radio-canada.ca)

20. Mureika and group's analysis of Les Automatistes
paintings :
1. Paintings are multi-fractals.
2. The paintings have a characteristic multifractal depth.

21. (Newspaper article)

22. Self-portraits after having LSD

23. Edge detection

24. Box counting

25. Box counting
L=52 pixels L=16 pixels L=8 pixels L=4 pixels

26. Box counting fractal dimension

27. Variation of fractal dimension of the images as a function of time

28. Observations
1. Fractal dimension
increases and
decreases with LSD
trip.
2. Errors in
calculating D
decreases and
increases with LSD
trip.

29. Limitations
1. Only one artist is considered : statistically
insignificant.
2. Experiences are subjective.
3. A multifractal analysis can be a more accurate
description.

30. Conclusion
I hypothesize that under the influence of LSD, the fractal
dimension of the artwork of an artist increases.
This can have potential applications in understanding mental
disorders.

31. Future direction : LSD and mental illness
«LSD psychotics are similar to schizophrenics.»
(Vardy M. M. and Kay S. R. , Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1983 )

32. Cat painter, Louis Wain
1860-1939
Probably turned
schizophrenic near the end
of his career

33. Psychadelic cat paintings of Louis Wain

34. Multifractal analysis of ayahuasca art
Unicornio Dorado, ayahuasca art by Pablo Amaringo
(Courtesy : www.visualmelt.com/Pablo-Amaringo)

35. Thank You