Net of Being

How Alex Grey’s visionary art is evolving the cultural body through icons of interconnectedness

• Includes over 200 reproductions of Grey’s artwork

• Contains spectacular photos of Grey’s collaboration with the cult band TOOL plus his worldwide live-painting performances

• Offers Grey’s reflections on how art evolves consciousness with a new symbology of the Networked Self

• Winner of the 2013 Nautilus Silver Book Award in Photography and Art

Revealing the interwoven energies of body and soul, love and spirit that illuminate the core of each being, Alex Grey’s mystic paintings articulate the realms of consciousness encountered during visits to entheogenic heaven worlds. His painting Net of Being--inspired by a blazing vision of an infinite grid of Godheads during an ayahuasca journey--has reached millions as the cover and interior of the band TOOL’s Grammy award–winning triple-platinum album, 10,000 Days. Net of Being is one of many images Grey has created that have resulted in a chain reaction of uses--from apparel and jewelry to tattoos and music videos--embedding these iconic works into our culture’s living Net of Being.

The book explores how the mystical experience expressed in Alex Grey’s work opens a new understanding of our shared consciousness and unveils the deep influence art can have on cultural evolution. The narrative progresses through a successive expansion of identity--from the self, to self and beloved, to self and community, world spirit, and cosmic consciousness, where bodies are transparent to galactic energies. Presenting over 200 images, including many never-before-reproduced paintings as well as masterworks such as St. Albert and the LSD Revelation Revolution and Godself, the book also documents performance art, live-painting on stage throughout the world, and the “social sculpture” called CoSM, Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, that Grey cofounded with his wife and creative collaborator, artist Allyson Grey.

Table of Contents:

Preface

Nihilist to Mystic

Finding the One

Worldspirit

Cosmic Creativity

Net of Being

COSM
Chapel of Sacred Mirrors

Acknowledgments

About the Author :
Alex Grey is the author of Sacred Mirrors, Transfigurations, The Mission of Art, and Art Psalms. His work has graced numerous album covers including those of Nirvana, TOOL, and the Beastie Boys; appeared in Newsweek and TIME Magazine; and been exhibited throughout the world. In 2004, Alex and his wife, artist Allyson Grey, opened the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM) in New York City, a gallery and sacred space for Alex’s original paintings and other visionary artworks. In 2009, CoSM, now a church, moved from Manhattan to the Hudson Valley. Alex Grey and Allyson Grey live in Brooklyn and Wappinger, New York.

Review :
“...possibly the most significant artist alive. Alex’s work, like all great transcendental art, is not merely symbolic or imaginary: it is a direct invitation to recognize and realize a deeper dimension of our very own being.” “Inspired by Allyson Grey, every single image that flows into vivid being from Alex’s magical hand awakens, energizes, enlightens, and overjoys! The Net of Being is an ageless, yet now, glimpse of the ‘Jewel Net of Indra,’ the divine Buddhist image for the mutual interpenetration of all beings and things, from the subatomic to the trans-galactic. It takes your breath away, in the best way possible!” “Alex Grey’s artworks bring together the tangible outer worlds investigated by scientists—full of molecules, bodies and stars–and the intangible visionary inner worlds—full of light, shadow and spiritual beings—known mainly to mystics.” “Alex Grey is America’s foremost psychedelic artist.” “After we’re all gone and in 300 years or 500 years, Alex will be a master. He, right now, is a modern master to me.” “Through his art, writings, and activism, Alex Grey shares his many insights into the nature of being and the universe at large. At the same time, he makes a compelling case for supporting and nurturing all forms of creative practice.” “Alex Grey’s ability to portray the normally hidden mystical dimensions of the human body and the cosmos are extraordinary and unique. His amazing visionary art is in a category of its own!” “Alex Grey’s images connect with people effortlessly, on a deep intuitive level, and empower them to imagine a deeper and more meaningful world beneath the veneer of mundane everyday reality. He touches on themes that are so universal, so instantly recognizable, that upon seeing his art for the first time, it may already feel familiar…It seems that part of the reason people react so strongly to Alex’s work is because it touches them in a way that feels right, that nurtures and heals and perhaps fills some kind of void in their view of the world. This is perhaps one of the highest purposes that art can serve.” “A dazzling visual epic into mystical realms of consciousness, Net of Being is a gorgeously kaleidoscopic book tracking the psychedelic, Gaian, and galactic rise of a new planetary culture. Not just a work of writing and art, it’s an interdimensional chrysalis for the awakening of humanity.” “Net of Being is Alex Grey’s memoir in images and words: a report on an astonishing life, a fearless communication of a world–view, and a love letter to the planet. His formidable skill and imagination as an artist and unshakeable good will have allowed him to explore past any reasonable boundary and bring back visions that are part of the permanent iconography of our time.” “There was a time when expeditions into the unknown were always accompanied by an artist to depict the newly discovered landscapes. Alex Grey is one of those kinds of artist, but in his case he explores our parallel realities and brings them back alive. He is the Albert Bierstadt of inner space.” “Through his art and writings, Grey shares his many insights into the interconnected nature of life, spirit, and the universe as a whole and his artistic plans for the future. A stunning hardcover art book for Alex Grey fans, visionary art lovers, and explorers of interdimensional spirituality.” “From Private Sanctuaries to the covers of Grammy-award winning albums, Alex Grey’s art has become embedded in our modern, global culture, making him the mystical artist for this new millennium.” “At times mystical, erotic or anatomically correct, and always brilliantly colorful, Grey’s psychedelic art is not to be missed. In fact, some take it with them everywhere…in the form of body tattoos, photos of which are included.” “An impressive, coffee table tome that blends metaphysical themes with uniquely original images and informative commentary, Net of Being is highly recommended to the legions of Alex Grey fans, to students of metaphysical imagery, and to both community and academic library Metaphysical Studies and Art History reference collections.” “Net of Being by Alex Grey belongs in both the arts and spirituality sections of any library, and will appeal across the board into new age and music audiences...A ‘must’ for any alternative and new age arts holding!” “One can’t help but be impressed with Alex Grey’s voluminous output over the course of his career-to-date as chronicled within Net of Being. Not only does the book introduce many paintings completed during the eleven years since Alex’s last large-format art book was published, but it also contains numerous older pieces that weren’t featured in his earlier books. ”