This project is a fusion of personal introspection, altered states of consciousness, and AI-generated art, all based on my first experience with ketamine therapy. What began as a raw, unfiltered stream of thoughts evolved into a series of surreal visuals, each capturing an abstract facet of perception, morality, and existence.

The Origin: A Ketamine-Induced Exploration of Reality

During my first ketamine therapy session, my mind drifted into deep philosophical territories. Themes of connection, perception, music, morality, and hope surfaced in a nonlinear, dreamlike fashion.

Translating Thought into AI-Generated Art

The goal was to take these deep, abstract experiences and visualize them through AI. Each piece was carefully designed to reflect the emotions and revelations from my journey.

A. The Body as a Universe

Concept: A person dissolving into cosmic dust, revealing an entire galaxy within. Their veins pulse with stardust, and their eyes reflect infinity.

Meaning: Identity and reality are fluid—within us exists an entire cosmos of memories, thoughts, and emotions.

B. The Complexity of Human Perception

Concept: A figure standing in a kaleidoscopic space, their senses fracturing into colors, patterns, and textures. A single drop of water reflects countless realities.

Meaning: Perception is not objective—it is shaped by personal, cultural, and emotional influences.

C. The Interwoven Nature of Reality

Concept: Two parallel worlds exist side by side, separated by a shimmering, ethereal veil. A neural network of glowing threads connects memories across time and space.

Meaning: Everything is connected—past, present, and future blend together in ways we can’t always see.

D. Music as a Guide

Concept: A person dissolving into sound waves, their thoughts transforming into flowing light patterns shaped by music. A cosmic orchestra emits visible sound waves, shaping reality itself.

Meaning: Music is more than sound—it influences thought, memory, and emotion, shaping the subconscious.

E. The Veil Between Worlds

Concept: A shadowy figure stands at the threshold between the known world and a surreal void of neon structures, swirling galaxies, and ancient symbols.

Meaning: The boundary between reality and the unknown is thin. Stepping beyond it means embracing uncertainty.

F. The Cathedral of Forgotten Thoughts

Concept: An ancient, decayed cathedral floating in a black void, its walls inscribed with fragmented memories and forgotten prayers.

Meaning: Knowledge, beliefs, and morality shift over time—what was once sacred can be forgotten, yet it still lingers.

G. Hope as an Unseen Force

Concept: A dark, desolate world where everything appears lifeless—except for a single glowing thread weaving through space, connecting people, ideas, and forgotten dreams.

Meaning: Hope is not always visible, but it is always present, moving through the universe like an unseen force.

Session #2: Exploring the Intersections of Time, Memory, and Perspective: A Visual Journey

This collection of images delves deep into the intricate relationships between knowledge, legacy, societal issues, and the passage of time. Each piece invites reflection on the way we transmit wisdom across generations, the role of technology in preserving memories, and the evolving nature of personal and societal perspectives.

From "Communication Across Generations", where a bridge of light connects two figures, one older and one younger, symbolizing the challenge of passing on wisdom, to "The Power of Perspective", where kaleidoscopic environments embody the shifting nature of reality, these images explore how our views of the world are ever-changing and multifaceted.

The collection also touches on the role of holograms as memory keepers, such as the ethereal hologram figure surrounded by fragmented memories, capturing how technology can preserve and transform our understanding of the past. These digital creations exist in harmony with the concept of legacy and mortality, as seen in images like the figure beneath the tree, holding a flickering candle that symbolizes the impermanence of life and the enduring light of memories.

Furthermore, societal issues such as racism, inequality, and injustice are brought to the forefront in pieces where holograms project beams of light, aiming to foster understanding and inspire change.

Every image is designed not just to be viewed, but to provoke thought and inspire dialogue. Through the interplay of light, shadow, and shifting environments, this collection offers a visual map of how we interact with the past, the present, and the future—highlighting the fragility and power of memory, identity, and societal transformation.

Today, I entered my third ketamine treatment, playing The Gorge soundtrack from the new Apple TV movie. I wasn’t just here for the treatment—I was here to explore my memories, to try and reconnect with something deep inside me.

I focused on my childhood, particularly my time in grade four and five at Boutilier’s Point School in St. Margaret’s Bay. Specifically, Mr. Trinor’s class. The memory was vague but persistent. I recalled walking down the stairs, turning right, entering that middle classroom. The image of an old, worn-out touring motorcycle flashed in my mind—a ridiculous sight, a teacher riding it in a business suit. It didn’t make sense, but neither did most of the things I was trying to remember.

As the treatment deepened, I tried to push through the sound waves of my past. I wanted to remember. I wanted to understand. But the memories didn’t just come as images; they were feelings, sensations, echoes of my younger self struggling to fit in.

I am a boy who looks out at the world,

wishing to fit in,

but I am isolated,

locked in my own protective box,

shielded from the pain I once suffered.

My past was not just a blur of childhood experiences. It held violence, abuse, struggle. My memories haunt me, whispering that my past will always be my future. Every dream, every goal I once had feels shattered beneath my feet, like broken glass embedding itself into my skin—reminders of what I will never be.

On the outside, I appear strong. I appear fearless, carefree. But inside, I am drowning. The sadness, the fear of the unknown—it consumes me like an untamed tide. No one can understand what it’s like to live with a learning disability, to struggle in ways that others cannot see. It is a battle fought alone, locked away in the tissues of my brain.

Mr. Trinor’s class. Those stairs. That motorcycle. They all return like ghosts in my mind. What was he trying to teach me? Did he care? Was he trying to help, or did his words shape the way I saw myself forever?

“You are here,” he said, “and everyone else is here.”

A single sentence, meant to explain, but it did something else—it defined me. It separated me. It told me that no matter what I did, I would always be behind.

This treatment, this journey through my memories, is not just about healing. It is about connecting, understanding. It is about unraveling the tangled wires of my past and seeing if they still have power over me.

Everything is connected. The past. The present. The pain. The understanding.

And now, I search for the way forward.