News Story: Psychedelics and the Future of Religion: Book Talk: Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium with Erik Davis

On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the Common Room at CSWR hosted an engaging evening, organized as part of the CSWR's Psychedelics and the Future of Religion Series and centered on Dr. Erik Davis's new book, "Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium." Released in collaboration with Mark McCloud’s Institute of Illegal Images, the book delves into the complex world of LSD blotter paper. Dr. Charles Stang, Director of the CSWR, introduced Davis’ new book as an exploration of the " wild images of this ephemeral medium, about a form of art that is meant to be consumed, digested images that are meant to inaugurate a trip, a journey, images that are meant to disappear so that others might appear." 

The evening opened doors to a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Davis, shedding light on the transformative role of psychedelics in contemporary spirituality. Dr. Davis, an acclaimed scholar and journalist with a rich background in esoteric mysticism and media studies, discussed the intricacies of his collaboration with Mark McCloud and the Institute of Illegal Images, which forms a significant part of his book's narrative. Dr. Davis described their joint effort as an enlightening exploration into a unique form of psychedelic expression, saying, "A lot of my pandemic was hanging out with Mark McCloud, having him tell me the story one more time." This partnership allowed Davis to weave a detailed account of the lesser-known cultural artifacts of the psychedelic scene, providing a vivid depiction of the art and history captured on LSD blotter paper. 

Davis illustrated the history and artistic expressions encapsulated in blotter art, emphasizing its dual role as both a conduit for drug delivery and a canvas for artistic endeavor, which he complemented by visuals from McCloud’s vast archive. Detailing the evolution of blotter art and emphasizing its transformation from a mere drug delivery system to a recognized form of artistic expression, Davis highlighted the unique role of vanity blotter art, which reimagines blotter paper as a collectible, devoid of its original narcotic intent yet rich in visual allure. Describing his collaboration with Mark McCloud and the Institute of Illegal Images, Davis vividly brought to life the cultural significance of this art form, sharing that, "you started to see blotter paper at festivals and Dead shows, where people were buying posters and such.” Davis elaborated upon the transition of vanity blotter art into a niche of its own within the art community, facilitated by McCloud’s extensive archive which provided a tangible connection to the art's psychedelic roots and its journey into the realms of legitimate artistry. As an innovative art form, vanity blotter represents a shift in the perception and use of blotter paper, and pointing to how the medium transcended its psychedelic roots to enter a broader artistic and cultural significance. Davis and McCloud’s partnership highlights the artistic value and historical relevance of blotter art, transforming it into a symbol of creative expression rather than merely a vehicle for drug delivery and inviting a reevaluation of psychedelic art's role within the broader artistic community. 

Concluding with a vibrant Q&A session, the audience offered insightful inquiries, prompting a conversation with Davis on the nuanced intersections of blotter art, psychedelic culture, and the broader societal impacts. One audience member, intrigued by the economic underpinnings of the blotter art scene, asked, “In what instances do you see of the economics of LSD distribution helping to drive counterculture?” Davis responded thoughtfully, highlighting the lesser-known economic dynamics that fueled the psychedelic art and broader countercultural movements. He explained that the production and sale of vanity blotter art “was a very active and noticeable way that the scene supported […] the whole handicraft dimension of festival culture.” His response not only underscored the economic mechanisms but also painted a picture of the communal and supportive aspects of the counterculture. 

Another audience member raised a question about the transformation of blotter art into a legitimate art form, asking, "What do you think is lost with this medium going away, drying out and being replaced?” In his response, Davis engaged the historic court case in which vanity blotter paper was legally deemed to be art, naming that “you learn a lot by following the legal organization of squirrely topics." He further elaborated on the implications of this legal and cultural shift, reflecting on how the perception of blotter art has evolved and what nuances might be lost as it becomes sanitized through contemporary legal and clinical lenses. 

Davis presentation underscores the broader implications of psychedelic experiences in understanding human consciousness and the perennial quest for transcendence. "Blotter: The Untold Story of an Acid Medium" is now available for purchase, and its reception promises to spark further dialogue on the role of psychedelics in contemporary culture and scholarship. Dr. Davis’s ongoing contributions continue to illuminate the pathways between psychedelics, mysticism, arts and the humanities, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of our understanding of transcendence. 

Watch short clips from the Erik Davis book talk: 

-Story by Tristan Angieri, MDiv '26