Holotropic Art, a project created by Milan Hrabánek in 2013, represents a unique combination of artistic creation and holotropic states of consciousness. This concept emerged from his long-standing interest in artworks from the perspective of a psychiatrist and psychologist. Holotropic Art encompasses creations in the fields of visual art, music, singing, and poetry that emerge based on holotropic states of consciousness.
The very first event associated with Holotropic ART was an exhibition by Jana Vysoudilová held in Olomouc in 2013. However, the exhibition that can be considered the first major event took place in 2016 under the auspices of the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97 at the Prague Crossroads. The scale of this comprehensive exhibition of the 1st wave of Holotropic ART is evidenced by the fact that it had its own catalog, which was personally christened by Mrs. Dagmar Havlová together with Stanislav Grof. During the exhibition's vernissage, Stanislav Grof gave a lecture on "Modern Consciousness Research and Understanding Art," focusing on significant names in the world of visionary art, such as H.R. Giger, Roberto Venosa, Martina Hoffmann, and Alex Grey. This event inspired Milan Hrabánek to present the works of these world-renowned artists at the International Transpersonal Conference in 2017, enriching the visitors' experience with these exceptional pieces. This goal was achieved, and in 2017, the International Exhibition of Holotropic Art took place in the prestigious spaces of Villa Pellé and Písecká Brána galleries, showcasing Czech artists alongside prominent artists from the "Visionary Art" and Holotropic ART world scene. In 2018, an original exhibition of paintings inspired by LSD was organized on the occasion of the "75 Years of LSD in Science and Art" conference at Landek in Ostrava.
The Holotropic ART project continued in the following years with additional exhibitions of holotropic art. The project introduces new artists in waves, typically with an annual comprehensive exhibition. Since 2018, these exhibitions have been held in the beautiful spaces of Linhartovy Castle. In addition to the major exhibitions, smaller exhibitions have also been organized in various galleries throughout the Czech Republic and at the International Transpersonal Center Holos, known as the Echoes of Holotropic ART. The exhibited works influenced by holotropic states of consciousness provide insights into the expanded cartography of the human psyche, combining high artistic value with intricate processing.
The Holotropic ART project has its website, www.holotropicart.org, where you can find information about the participating artists, past exhibitions, and upcoming ones.
What makes holotropic art exceptional?
Holotropic art is exceptional for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights artistic creations inspired by holotropic states of consciousness, illustrating the profound healing and transformative processes of these states. Holotropic states of consciousness are intense experiences that can be achieved through techniques such as breathwork, trance-inducing music, dance, or the use of psychedelic substances. However, they can also spontaneously occur during a psychospiritual crisis. These holotropic states offer glimpses into inner worlds, allowing artists to capture experiences and emotions in their original works.
Secondly, holotropic art is exceptional due to its potential to expand our understanding of the human psyche. Artworks created in holotropic states of consciousness provide an expanded perspective on human existence and inner psychological processes. They create a new map that opens doors to deeper layers of our consciousness.
Thirdly, holotropic art has a strong emotional and transformative potential. When viewing these works, we can experience intense emotional reactions, which can stir processes of personal growth and self-awareness within us. These works can have a therapeutic effect and help us better understand ourselves and our own experiences. Viewers can recognize their own processes within them, with which they may have previously struggled, and they can serve as inspiration for further targeted work with these sometimes challenging processes.
Last but not least, holotropic art represents the courage of artists to express themselves authentically and unconventionally. It is a form of artistic self-expression that stems from a deep connection with the inner world and is not limited by traditions and conventional forms of artistic expression. This brings freedom of creative expression and allows for the creation of unique works that are full of authenticity and originality.
Holotropic art is therefore exceptional in its ability to connect art and profound mental experiences, open new perspectives on the human psyche, provide emotional and transformative experiences, and bring forth authentic and unconventional artistic expressions. It is a fascinating realm that bridges two worlds and enriches both the creators and the viewers.
Artists of Holotropic ART
On the Holotropic ART project website, you will find information about all the artists who have been involved in this project in the past. Each of them brings their unique artistic expression influenced by holotropic states of consciousness and deep mental experiences. All their stories can also be found in the printed catalogs released for each wave of Holotropic ART.
Among the artists featured on the Holotropic ART website is Jana Vysoudilova, for example. Jana works as a therapist at Holos but is also a painter whose works are full of colors, emotions, and energy. Jana draws inspiration from profound experiences of holotropic states of consciousness, and her artistic expression reflects transformation and her inner journey.
You will also come across Petr Mucha on the website. His works are characterized by poetic language and a synthesis of opposing elements that create tension and openness for the viewer's imagination. His series "Between Time and Space" includes layered oil paintings that combine mathematically generated, 3D-scanned, and digitally created objects. The entire series transports the viewer into an imaginary world that is both poetic and mystical.
Another artist, this time from the global Holotropic ART, is Martina Hoffmann, whose work focuses on detailed expressions of inner landscapes inspired by her exploration of mystical states of consciousness such as imagination, meditation, shamanic journeys, and dream states. Her artistic symbolism is strongly feminine, conveying the "universal woman" into an intimate universe. Martina Hoffmann translates her ecstatic experiences and reflections on the nature of women into a fantastic and sacred style. Her works reflect a new global sensitivity with an emphasis on love and humanistic values that relentlessly connect with universal consciousness.
Pavel Pražák has also participated in the Holotropic ART project. He is an artist who continues to develop some of his visions in his work. He seeks to evoke an experience through the illumination of enlarged watercolors that focus on themes of "connection and growth." His paintings do not require an external light source to be seen. Instead, they resemble the light of our own inner vision.
Another intriguing artist is Kateřina Slavíková, an artist who started painting ten years ago with the goal of creating beautiful forest landscapes. However, something unexpected happened while working on the painting. Tunnels, paths, and eruptions began to appear on the canvas, surprising her. While painting, she feels that her hand makes brushstrokes, but it is not her own guidance. It is as if she is being controlled by a higher power, love, light, and beauty. In her painting, there is no space or time; everything merges, and the world becomes an image, and the image becomes the world.
Holotropic art is also created by Milan Hrabánek, under the pseudonym V. E. Sarga. Sarga's work is unconventional, utilizing various media, structures, enlargements, and overlays. In recent years, he has been dedicated to large-scale enamel work. Sarga's creations often allow us, through significant magnification of structures, to glimpse into the artist's inner self and perceive their contents in their ambiguity and complexity.
There are already a large number of artists who have been involved in the project, and we must not forget the names of Stanislav and Brigitte Grof, the Oscar-winning artist H. R. Giger, or Otto Plachta.
These artists and many others bring their unique perspectives and creative expressions that reflect the depth and power of holotropic states of consciousness. Their art allows us to glimpse into unexplored parts of our psyche and experience incredible dimensions of human existence. Through their works, we can be inspired, expand our perception, and find deeper meaning in our own lives.
The Holotropic ART project serves not only as a space for presenting artistic expression but also as a source of inspiration and knowledge. Thanks to the work of these talented artists, it is possible to touch the unspoken, discover hidden layers of being, and open doors to the world of infinite artistic and mental potential.
Spaces in Linhartovy Castle
Linhartovy Castle is a cultural monument with a rich history, with the first mentions of it as a fortress dating back to the 14th century. It was then rebuilt from a fortress into a castle in the second half of the 16th century.
However, currently, you will not find the usual castle inventory in the castle, but rather an extensive gallery and social space that has been taken care of by the castle steward Jaroslav Hrubý for many years. He has managed to carry out two reconstructions of the castle using European funds, thus saving and beautifying this cultural monument in the northeastern part of Silesia.
A variety of cultural events regularly take place here, including popular night tours of the castle, Nativity scene exhibitions, and Christmas concerts. The castle houses a permanent exhibition of ceramics by Jan Kutálek, toys, ceramic cups, spa flasks, postal items, keys, and Lego sets. There is also a new exhibition featuring over a hundred life-size paper figures created by Mr. Hrubý, representing the original inhabitants of the castle from the Sedlnický family of Choltice.
Thanks to excellent cooperation with Mr. Hrubý, Linhartovy Castle has become the main exhibition space for the Holotropic ART project, with two major exhibitions taking place in 2018 and 2019. In the following years, the project was interrupted by COVID and subsequent delayed reconstruction of the castle. This year, therefore, holotropic art returns to Linhartovy for the third time, with an extensive exhibition of the 6th wave of Holotropic ART in September and October 2023.
Holotropic ART and its 6th wave
The exhibition of the 6th wave of Holotropic ART begins at Linhartovy Castle on September 9, 2023, with an opening ceremony featuring a rich cultural program and discussions with individual artists. The exhibition itself will be accessible to the public during the weekends for a period of two months in September and October as part of the castle tour.
The exhibition will feature a number of contemporary talented artists, whose participation has already been confirmed. Among them are notable names such as Nikola Vavrous, Filip Záruba, Jana Barnášová, Chrisantem, Petra Paušová, Eva Pikartová, and Martina Sehnalová. Their unique creations and artistic visions will create a rich and inspiring experience for all visitors. However, this year's Holotropic ART exhibition will also present unpublished works by the late Eduard Ovčáček, a significant Czech visual artist and university lecturer. Linhartovy Castle will thus provide an ideal setting for these artistic treasures and open the door for visitors to the fascinating world of Holotropic ART.
The 6th wave of Holotropic ART at Linhartovy Castle is an opportunity for art lovers to explore the diversity of the contemporary art world through exhibited works that have emerged from holotropic states of consciousness. The exhibition will not only offer fascinating works by the mentioned artists but also a unique atmosphere that combines art and the environment of a historic castle. Come and experience an unforgettable journey full of beauty, inspiration, and the discovery of artistic secrets.
Milan Hrabánek
Exhibition Curator
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