'Individual and collective development'...An interview with: Nico Rosenfeld

Astral are delighted to speak with psychedelic artist @rosenfeldtown

"Born in Santa Fe, Argentina, with a passion for drawing that began in early childhood, his recent years have been dedicated to capturing the world of sacred plants, psychedelia, dreams, and the bizarre side of life. Through his illustrations, he seeks to bring both ancient and modern psychonauts into the light, portraying them while weaving subtle clues about their work into each piece." - editionssociety.com

Read on below for the full interview...

First of all where are you from, and what do you love?

I am from the city of Santa Fe, in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina—far to the south of the American continent. I was born here and I still haven't left; I really like where I was born. I like walking the sunny streets, the silence of siesta time, humming made-up songs, and fantasizing about living in an old house in my city.

How is life at the moment; are there any captivating ideas or feelings you are currently experiencing? 

Life here is hard; we are going through a period that I call amnesia / anesthesia / apathy—experiencing the unraveling of the social net and the bonds that hold society together. It happens from time to time here: foreign extractivist policies that enjoy broad support within Argentine society. It feels like a betrayal, and it is deeply painful. In the past, this was carried out through the forced disappearance of people, with the complicity of various institutions, the media, and a segment of the population itself. Today, the mechanisms of domination are more refined and discreet; there is less bloodshed, but the plunder remains the same. The only captivating idea is to reclaim our dignity as a population.

What attracts you to exploring themes relating to dreams, psychedelia, and ancient wisdom within your work?

I became interested in psychedelics because they represent an essential field for individual and collective development. Since the subject has been silenced and is generally illegal, a sense of justice and the desire to spread awareness were my primary driving forces—especially given how the machinery of prohibition operates, keeping the majority in a state of ignorance and disconnection, while the poor pay the steepest price.

Through the use of psychedelics, I personally became more sensitive to life and external stimuli, which led me to pay attention to the world of dreams. Something I enjoy doing is listening to and sharing dreams; I feel it is an act of internal hygiene, just as showering is an act of external hygiene. I love the common ground shared by different cultures across time and space: the same questions, the same answers, yet different outward forms. The connection to nature—that is the finest and most sophisticated technology—along with its celebration, the rituals, and the ornamentation.

Could you please tell us about the process of creating a new work of art and what sort of emotions arise when you are immersed in the creative act?

It starts with excitement, the heart goes pum pum pum, and the smile appears. Then I start the research—searching extensively for images in mind, books and web, also taking photos for anatomical references (plants, animals, and people) . I really enjoy stock photo websites and the way they are curated, as well as spotting patterns. Next, I lay out everything I’ve gathered and start composing, which is my favorite part, it's like turning on a blender. Balancing weights, distributing elements, drawing, erasing, one step back, two forward. The most important thing for me is to create an informative image, featuring elements that reinforce that information.—I suppose I enjoy anthropological communication.

What has art taught you about consciousness and the soul that language couldn't?

For the moment, I perceive art and language as one and the same; Im deeply moved, then irritated, gladdened and disappointed, showing me that all is vanity, vanity of vanities and there is nothing new under the sun. The only thing that truly transcends is the feeling of joy: when an artwork travels and takes form on different media across the globe; when a colleague or I sell a piece; when there is an interaction between the artwork and the viewer. These are the aspects of the visual arts—my field—that matter for me. I have often fantasized about us stopping the creation of art for a while and channeling that effort instead into becoming a better species, just doing silence.

Has a psychedelic experience changed the way you look at the world/art and if so what did it reveal to you?

I once ate psilocybin mushrooms we had gathered in nearby fields. I believe there are times when the trip goes really well—when it hits just right and you learn many interesting things. But I also believe there are moments when it truly "takes hold"—I call it that: it takes hold, it merges with you, and a sense of oneness emerges. It was in such a moment that I dissolved into my surroundings; I swayed gently with the wind, gazing at a star and feeling that it wasn't far away—that we were the same light, merely separated. That brought me peace and made me smile as a tear rolled down my cheek; then I continued on my journey, exploring as always with a childlike curiosity. And I thought: if everyone experienced this, we would surely all get along better. It helps to shed so much accumulated baggage, to forgive, and to embrace simplicity and silence.

What fills you with the most joy in relation to your work and life?  

It makes me very happy when the images I create illustrate popular science articles. Or when someone buys an image from me and I can buy food, it makes me want to jump for joy and sing. Another incredibly valuable aspect is continuing to learn and study—because creating a drawing always requires study, and that is a sheer delight!

 What does spirituality mean to you? 

A mandatory field of experimentation—individual, collective, and or institutionalized. That which softens people's hearts; as with everything, it requires effort and focus but also tolerance and caution, because through spirituality one can grow, heal, and gain strength, but also be deceived, swindled, abused, or killed.

...

Discover more of Nico Rosenfeld via their:

• Instagram

- Astral Magazine