PSYCHEDELIC NOW: A COLLECTIVE FANTASY OF HOPE
Text by Julia Chaplin
“Humanity now is in a race between catastrophe and consciousness. The psychedelic renaissance is here to help consciousness triumph.” —Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
We are experiencing a psychedelic renaissance not seen since the 1960s, but today psychedelics emphasize mental balance, creativity, and positivity, and it could prove a powerful tool to help elevate people’s consciousness to work together to solve global problems. The psychedelic resurgence presented in these pages is just revving up. It has the potential to dramatically change how we perceive the world. Can happy things put one in a better mood? And if everyone is in a better mood, does the world become happier? If people believe it, and move toward it, then this hopeful fantasy could become our collective reality.
This colorful volume explores the contemporary psychedelic aesthetic unfolding in the cultural zeitgeist across fashion, art, design, architecture and lifestyle. Consider Yayoi Kusama’s bright polka-dotted fantasy worlds, Marni x No Vacancy Inn’s vibrant beach Africana, artist duo FriendsWithYou’s ecstatic rainbows and candy-colored kawaii creatures or Burning Man habitué Bjarke Ingels’s utopian optic architecture.
Author Julia Chaplin elaborates four distinct themes: Rainbow Utopists (rapper A$AP Rocky, designer Marco Ribeiro), Afrofuturists (musician George Clinton, rapper-designer Kid Cudi), Cosmic Technophiles (stage designer Es Devlin, artist Leo Villareal) and Spiritualizers (artists Olafur Eliasson and James Turrell), all dreaming and working toward a brighter world.
About the author:
Julia Chaplin is a journalist, author, curator and adventurer. She is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and Travel + Leisure. She coined the term “gypset” and has written the books Gypset Style, Gypset Travel, Gypset Living, Tulum Gypset (Assouline, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2019) and The Boho Manifesto (Artisan, 2019). She founded the arts organization Proyecto Dracula, consults on hospitality and lectures on bohemian lifestyle and travel.
Text by Julia Chaplin | 7.5 x 11 in – 19.5 x 28 cm | 220 pages | 160 illustrations
padded hardcover | ISBN: 9781649804433 | $75 – €75 – £58
JUNE 2025
1 © Photo Media/ClassicStock/ Getty Images
2 © Paul Rousteau
3 © Marco Ribeiro, photo by Naguel Rivero
4 © Janina Zais
5 © Michel Vecchi
6 © Marco Ribeiro, photo by Naguel Rivero
7 © Bill Zygmant/Shutterstock
8 © Marc Sharratt/Shutterstock
9 © Jaime Jacott/Shutterstock
10 © Marco Ribeiro, photo by Naguel Rivero
11 © ByDroneVideos/Shutterstock
12 © Marcus Queiroga Silva/Pexels
About Assouline:
Founded in Paris in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline, Assouline is the first luxury brand on culture. It began with the desire to create a new, contemporary style of book, using the couple’s experienced eye for visually rich stories and compelling narratives. Guided by their passion for knowledge, culture and travel, the Assoulines’ have since expanded their vision to nearly 2,000 titles in five main collections, along with special editions, home fragrances and unique library accessories—a grand oeuvre of inspiring creations. Throughout the last thirty years, the brand has established a network of international boutiques in prominent locations across the globe. With a distinguished team of creative talents—which includes the founders’ son Alexander the brand continues to reinvent the notion of true luxury. Assouline’s roster of collaborators includes some of the world’s most respected brands, artists, photographers, writers and designers. Assouline continues to exude an unparalleled signature style and elegant savoir faire, which has globally redefined modern publishing.
Tearsheets by Robin Chou, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
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