ALPRAZOLAM, An Ode to Sensual Disharmony – NFT Artwork
“Doc” February, 2022
Below please find my analysis of an amazing NFT Artwork, created by “Doc”, a well-known Professional Investor and Podcaster in the Crypto universe. Follow him on Twitter or listen to his Podcasts. https://linktr.ee/cryptounplugged
Alprazolam is a digitally produced NFT artwork, created exclusively by the artist, on the computer. It was minted on 23 January, 2022, in a png format, using Kusama blockchain. It is available on Singular. This digital image measures 2000 X 4000 pixels; the tools used were Adobe Photoshop.
When first experiencing the digital artwork, Alprazolam, the viewer is exposed to an abstract, almost cartoon-like, visual of a vibrant color palate against an expansive, black, brown and purple background. The introduction of various pop-culture elements, at first, seem unrelated and appear to take on a life of their own. The viewer’s initial pleasurable reaction to the primary colors soon merges into a more thoughtful, somber interpretation. Once the eye absorbs the colorful elements, it is drawn to the black background and the darker, solemn partial headshot of the man behind the plants, placed strategically next to an empty hourglass and bound feet and legs, presumably of a female. Connecting the elements are paths of blue pills, vivid colors and green plants, keeping the viewer’s eye in motion.
The artist’s design includes objects from the real world in order to create a thoughtfully organized image. These contrasting elements of dark vs color, along with the use of written text, serve as symbols for the story. Upon further examination, one discovers discipline of line, contrast and movement, causing the viewer to understand that this is not just a group of unrelated representations, but a carefully thought out tapestry inspiring a deeper psychological interpretation. The colors are bright and pure, mostly primary colors, drawing the eye toward the central theme – the “Benzo” pill container along with the well-manicured lady’s hand. The strong yellows and reds are offset by a path of cerulean – almost turquoise, blue pills. The dark background suggests a more ominous interpretation.
Organized loosely in the style of a digital collage, the image uses the blue pills/stepping stones to create a depth of perception, whereby the eye follows the path to its final destination. Or is it? Color is manipulated to express the power of the artist’s intellectual message, balancing it against the overwhelming black and grey background. This jolting juxtaposition gives meaning and expression to the underlying theme. The various elements are obvious and easily understood. This is not a subtle artwork!
As a result, these disparate objects and color schemes, when viewed collectively, create an aesthetic whole. The eye is forced to follow the movement of the lines and colors, through the darkness, via a well-structured circular pattern. Blues, reds and yellows, vs greys, purples and blacks, manipulate one’s visual perception. Introducing written text, with “no, no, no” and “wrong way”, add to the illusion of a multi-media work of art.
The oversized broken hourglass, often considered a symbol of mortality, is the focal point of the picture, suggesting that time is running out – or will very soon. The dominantly placed larger head, bound feet and lady’s hand indicate their importance in the story, perhaps referencing the fact that once caught in the trap of pill abuse, one feels inextricably bound, foreshadowing a tragic ending. By contrast, the vivid stilettos – with ankle straps, the colorful pills, the “Benzo” pill container, and more importantly, the beautiful hand, refer to the false prospect of a more positive, “sensual” experience.
Even if the viewer did not know the pharmaceutical definition of Alprazolam, he, nonetheless, gets that the issue here refers to the current social situation – pill abuse. The excitement one experiences in the bright colors, mirrors the anticipation one might feel when able to access the pills. There is no way out of this addictive cycle. Here each dislocated element has a specific purpose. In this “Ode to Sensual Disharmony”, the inner conflict is heightened to a more pleasurable psychological (or physical) experience, especially with the added benefit of a substance. Pain and pleasure are seen as one. The result is a visually shocking and intelligent image.
This artwork is in the tradition of other recent Digital Art NFT’s, which take a position on social commentary; and in this case, may also represent a personal statement. The predominant feature here is the artist’s seeming preoccupation with pill dependence, not unlike the opioid crisis. The viewer experiences a variety of influences and emotions, forcing introspection.
Here we have the purest example of how an artist is able to deliver traditional societal issues into a digital environment. Like pill addiction itself, which can be an unending circle of dependence, the colors move the eye in a continuous circular path. This could be the artist’s perspective on an important issue in society, or it could also be an outward expression of his own self-evaluation. In either case, Alprazolam promotes the further discussion of pills. Whether a personal story, or a general topic, it is up to the viewer to decipher the artist’s intentions. The yellow eyes in the top right quadrant are like the “eyes of God”, in The Great Gatsby, suggesting the “Wrong Way”. Or are these the eyes of desire – “Yes, yes, yes”?
The artwork seems to blend elements of Pop Art, using identifiable imagery, into a Surrealistic fantasy. As with other Surrealists, the subject matter probes the darker side of the spirit. There is a nightmarish quality to this artwork, which is grounded in the large, unfinished, brooding head. Other references include commentary, not unlike the ancient Egyptian wall paintings, where the symbols or hieroglyphics offer a more profound message, presented in a dazzling, creative medium, for others to interpret.
In Alprazolam, the artist has an issue with pills, and like pill addiction, the viewer is both attracted and repulsed by the image and its message – all organized in a beautifully designed digital canvas.
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