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Alex Grey: A Visionary Artist | USA

Saturday, 3 October, 2026

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Visionary Artists

Alex Grey: A Visionary Artist | USA

Published on September 19, 2026
By PIXIE

Alex Grey is a visionary artist and co-founder of CoSM, the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, together with his wife Allyson Grey. He was born on November 29, 1953, in Columbus, Ohio, and is one of the best-known visionary artists working today. Read on for his story, his link to electronic music and festival culture, and the events coming up at CoSM in 2026 and 2027.

From Medical Illustrator to Visionary Artist

Born Alexander Velzy in 1953 in Columbus, Ohio, Alex Grey was encouraged to draw by his father and became fascinated by anatomy and mortality as a child. That early interest shaped a career that joins the physical body with spiritual and psychic experience.

His path includes:

Work in medical anatomy, including time at Harvard Medical School, and a period as a medical illustrator
Teaching anatomy and figure sculpture at New York University
A long creative partnership with Allyson Grey that began in 1975, when the two started working independently and together
An exhibition at the New Museum in New York in 1986
Public support for the responsible use of entheogens, plus roles on the advisory board of the Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics and as chair of the Sacred Art Department at Wisdom University

The Sacred Mirrors Series

Grey’s best-known work is the Sacred Mirrors, a series of 21 paintings that layers anatomy, energy and spiritual imagery into life-size portraits of the human body. The series became the core of the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors and shaped a visual language that many artists, designers and festival organizers have borrowed since.

Alex Grey and Electronic Music Culture

Grey’s imagery shows up in music and club culture in several concrete ways:

Area	Example
Album artwork	His paintings appear on Tool album covers
Live shows	The Hallucinarium theme created with elrow (see below)
Apparel	Limited-edition collections with the Denver studio THREYDA
Workshops and exhibitions	Art intensives and gallery shows at CoSM in New York

Iconic Tool album covers

Illusionaries: The Entheon Experience in London

The Illusionaries exhibition opened at Canary Wharf in London in June 2024 and was billed as the UK premiere of the Greys’ Entheon experience. It brought Alex and Allyson Grey’s work to a UK audience outside their New York home base. As co-founders of the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM), the Greys have long built spaces for creativity, spirituality and reflection.

Hallucinarium: Alex and Allyson Grey Meet the Dance Floor

The clearest crossover between the Greys and club culture is Hallucinarium, a themed show created with Spanish party brand elrow for its 2024 season. Elrow describes it as a musical performance experience built on the Greys’ art, with performers in costumes designed by Alex and Allyson, angel-headed dancers with flaming third eyes, and stilt-walking seraphim with iridescent wings.

Date	Location	Milestone
September 28, 2024	Amnesia, Ibiza	World premiere, closing the Ibiza season
November 29-30, 2024	Radius, Chicago	US debut
December 8, 2024	Factory Town, Miami	Closing party of Art Basel week

Elrow updates its themes each season, so check its official site for any new Hallucinarium dates.

The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM)

CoSM is a spiritual creative retreat center in Wappingers Falls, New York, in the Hudson Valley. The Foundation for the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors was formed in 1996 as a non-profit to create a permanent public exhibition of the Sacred Mirrors.

Entheon: A Sanctuary of Visionary Art

Entheon is the permanent home of the Greys’ work at CoSM. Key facts:

A three-story carriage house turned into a 12,000 square foot exhibition of original visionary paintings, drawings, sculpture and moving image
Inside, the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors has a cathedral-style latticework ceiling, ten archangels and a quartz crystal moat around each of the 21 Sacred Mirrors
The entrance portal features bronze sculptural doors by Alex Grey titled “Creating a Better World”
Entry to CoSM and Entheon is free on the first Friday of each month

Entheon also hosts exhibitions by other visionary artists, such as the Supernal Light group show that opened in the All One Gallery on the 2026 spring equinox. For a full visitor overview, read our CoSM and Chapel of Sacred Mirrors guide.

Where to See Alex Grey’s Work in 2026 and 2027

Most of the live programming around Alex and Allyson Grey happens at CoSM in Wappingers Falls, New York. Here is what CoSM lists on its calendar for the coming months, based on its official site as of September 2026:

Autumnal Equinox Celestial Celebration and September Full Moon #296: Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am at CoSM
2026 Body and Soul Art Intensive with Alex Grey and Allyson Grey: Friday, November 13 (5:00 pm) to Sunday, November 15, 2026 (2:00 pm), a weekend workshop in figure drawing and painting
2027 Visionary Painting Intensive and Visionary Art Intensive: applications for both 2027 programs are due to open in fall 2026, following the 2026 editions, which are closed. Sign up for the CoSM newsletter to catch the announcement
Supernal Light group exhibition at All One Gallery: opened March 21, 2026 at Entheon with nine visionary artists, including M.C. Escher, Fred Tomaselli and Aleah Chapin. Check the CoSM calendar for the closing date
Free First Fridays: entry to CoSM and Entheon is free on the first Friday of every month, and Entheon presents the short documentary “Love, Art and Spirit: The Story of Alex Grey, Allyson Grey and CoSM”. Check cosm.org for current visiting hours

CoSM updates its calendar throughout the year, so confirm dates and ticket details on cosm.org before you travel. To go deeper into the work itself, Alex’s most recent monograph is Net of Being, which follows earlier books such as Sacred Mirrors, The Mission of Art, Transfigurations and Art Psalms.

Green Hand 2023 Acrylic on Linen by Alex Grey

More Visionary Artists on FeedFreq

Explore other visionary and psychedelic artists in our library:

Android Jones, digital artist
Amanda Sage, visionary painter trained under Ernst Fuchs
Chris Dyer
Luke Brown
Randal Roberts, a self-taught artist inspired by Alex Grey

Festival fans can also see how visionary art shapes the scene at Boom Festival, Burning Man and Envision Festival.

Join the FeedFreq Community for More Visionary Art Coverage

Stay tuned with FeedFreq for the latest on Alex Grey, CoSM and the relationship between visionary art and electronic music culture. Discover more artists shaping festival visuals through our ongoing coverage of projection mapping, digital art installations and the creators behind today’s electronic music scene.

Follow Alex Grey: A Visionary Artist | USA On Social Media

As Chief Editor at FeedFreq, Pixie uncovers the artists shaping alternative culture and lifestyle. Her work tracks the leading edge of the psychedelic scene, focusing entirely on the creators behind events and visionary art.

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Visual Artists

Illuminated Arts | Germany, 3D Visual Projections

Published onMarch 5, 2024

Today, we’re telling the story of Pete Lange, a brilliant visual artist from Germany. Pete is famous for changing spaces into places where his unique creations take you beyond ordinary sight. He’s the best at using projectors and maps in a world where colors and light mix. We want to take you on a visual journey as we explore why Illuminated Arts is so famous in festivals worldwide. And share his exciting story – Meet Illuminated Arts from Germany.

Who is the artist behind Illuminated Arts?

My Name is Pete, and I’m an old-school Berliner techno head and music enthusiast. I am A musician and DJ but my main work is with Visual Projections that transcends the conventional, projecting extraordinary visual landscapes that have gained recognition worldwide. With my roots in the 90s club scene, My commitment to crafting each design with my hands and my bespoke projections have become signals of creativity that resonate across venues and global events.

What types of projects have You worked on?

I have amazed crowds with my large-scale projections at famous festivals like Fusion, Tribal Teck, Tam Tam, Psy-Fi, VuuV Festival, Indian Spirit, Sonne Mond & Sterne, and Feel. Besides festivals, I also illuminate galas and award events, leaving a lasting impact with images stretched to an impressive 100 meters while maintaining sharpness and brilliance. I’m a dedicated artist who draws every motive and creates my content, believing that art should carry the unique signature of its creator.

How do you describe your work as Illuminated Arts?

My skill in Illuminated Arts involves making details stand out or fade away in my projections using light. I understand how light affects the mind without us realizing it. I carelessly create beautiful experiences by using pleasant colors and imaginative shapes. Each light projection I create allows people to enter a new world, taking them away from where they are.

What are the most exciting technical developments for you?

I am currently working with large-scale projectors engineered by a friend, allowing sharp and brilliant expanses of imagery to captivate viewers. I remain faithful to a tangible artistic process, using instruments like a white pen to blend traditional skills with innovative methods. Amidst a digital era, I choose a less traveled path, where an image’s soul’ is profoundly tied to its originality and the hands that crafted it.

Can You reconcile your passions for both visual and auditory art?

With a long history as a DJ, I am planning a fantastic performance blending analog projections with live dance. This upcoming project might mark my comeback to the world of music, where I’ll create tunes to accompany the visuals. After taking a break to focus on touring and visual arts, I feel drawn back to making music and exploring new rhythms that will enhance my stunning visual displays.

How can people get in touch with or follow your work?

If you’re keen to explore the vibrant world of Illuminated Arts, getting in touch with my work is simpler than ever. You can discover my newest projects on my social media profiles. I display unique light creations there and keep you posted on my artistic escapades. Come along on my adventures and connect with me through social media.

Visual Artists

DVIZION | Netherlands

Published onMarch 5, 2024

Angelo Isenia is a talented motion designer and VJ from the Netherlands. He founded DVizion, a company known for creating captivating visual experiences. DVizion focuses on live video performances, making custom visual content, and developing new tools for digital art. They use advanced software like Cinema 4D and Blender to create stunning visuals, which they’ve used in DJ Ran-D and Afrojack projects. DVizion also creates content packs and plugins that help artists worldwide be more creative.

Overall, DVizion is a leader in pushing the boundaries of visual art and performance.in us as we delve into Angelo’s journey, exploring his inspirations, challenges, and the intricate process behind his captivating visual creations.

What’s the name of your latest project, and Which country are you from?

My latest project was DVizion; I am based in the Netherlands and have been actively involved in the visual arts scene for over a decade.

Which artistic group do you belong to?

I am a freelance motion designer and VJ, but I often collaborate with other artists and creative groups to create unique projects and performances.

What’s your vision when making visual stuff?

My vision is to push the boundaries of digital art and performance, creating extraordinary experiences that captivate audiences and enhance the overall impact of live performances.

What got you into being a visual artist, and how do you stay inspired?

I have always been passionate about art and technology, and combining the two to create visuals that can be manipulated live was incredibly intriguing. I stay inspired by constantly experimenting with new techniques and collaborating with other artists who bring fresh perspectives and ideas.

Can you tell us how you started as a visual artist?

I began creating visuals for live performances in clubs and festivals, eventually leading me to start my own company, DVizion. Since then, I have worked on various projects and collaborations, constantly learning and growing as an artist.

Please show us your work and pick one you’re proud of.

One project that I am particularly proud of is the commissioned visuals for DJ Ran-D, as it allowed me to showcase my technical skills and creativity on a large scale.

What problems did you face, and how did you solve them?

One challenge I faced was creating visuals for outdoor festivals with unpredictable weather conditions. To overcome this, I developed custom tools and techniques that allowed me to adapt the visuals on the spot based on the environment.

How do you deal with clients who have different ideas?

I always communicate effectively with my clients and understand their expectations. If there are differences in ideas, I present my perspective and explain how it can enhance the overall project. Ultimately, it’s a collaborative effort to create the best possible outcome.

What advice would you give to people who want to be visual artists?

My advice would be to keep experimenting, learning new techniques, and collaborating with other artists. Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and think outside the box. Most importantly, never stop creating.

What do you think is the key to success as a visual artist?

The key to success as a visual artist is having a strong passion for your craft and constantly pushing yourself to improve and innovate. It’s also essential to establish connections within the industry and continuously strive for new opportunities.

Final thoughts:

As we conclude our talk with Angelo Isenia, aka DVizion, his journey as a visual artist shines with creativity and innovation. From experimenting with software to creating incredible experiences like CubeCity, Angelo’s dedication to pushing boundaries is inspiring. He advises aspiring artists to stay curious and never stop learning.

Watch for DVIZION’s latest updates as Angelo continues redefining visual artistry in the electronic music scene. Connect with him on social media for more electrifying content.

Music Production

The History of Ensoniq Synths

Published onMarch 10, 2024

Hey music lovers and gearheads, have you ever wondered about the wizards behind the scenes who’ve shaped the electronic music industry? Well, brace yourselves for a journey through time as we unravel “The History of Ensoniq and How They Impact the Electronic Music Industry.” Get ready to dive deep into the beats and bytes that have revolutionized how we groove!

History of Ensoniq: A Sonic Odyssey Begins

Ensoniq, the brainchild of musical mavericks, kicked off its sonic odyssey in the early 1980s.

Picture this: big hair, neon lights, and the sweet smell of innovation. These mad scientists weren’t concocting potions but crafting instruments that would define an era!

Ensoniq was founded in America in 1982 by former Commodore employees D. Bruce Crockett, Albert Charpentier, and Robert Yannes. They had worked together at Commodore on developing the C 64, among other things.

ENSONIQ’s first product was the “VCS Computing Device,” an add-on for Atari video game devices that let them function as personal computers.

In 1983, the company turned its attention to music electronics and built its sound chip. In April 1984, ENSONIQ introduced the “Drum-Key,” a hardware and software add-on for the Apple II computer that made it usable as a rhythm machine.

Ensoniq entered the instrument market with the Mirage sampling keyboard in 1985. At USD 1500, it cost significantly less than previous samplers, such as the Fairlight CMI and the E-MU Emulator. Starting with the ESQ-1, they began producing sample-based synthesizers. Following the success of these products, Ensoniq established a subsidiary in Japan in 1987.

In January 1998, Creative Technology Ltd. acquired ENSONIQ Corp. for $77 million and merged it with E-mu Systems to form the E-Mu/Ensoniq division. The fusion with E-mu sealed Ensoniq’s fate: after releasing entry-level E-mu MK6/PK6 and Ensoniq Halo keyboards—essentially keyboard versions of the Proteus 2500 module – in 2002, the E-Mu/Ensoniq division was dissolved, and support for legacy products ended soon after.

Synthesis Supremacy

Ensoniq burst onto the scene with the Mirage, a sampler that became the secret sauce for many iconic tracks. Its gritty, lo-fi charm seduced producers and unleashed a wave of creativity. Think of it as the rebel yell that started a sampling revolution in the music world!

🎹 Fun Fact: The Mirage wasn’t just a sampler; it was a time machine that transported musicians to uncharted sonic realms!

Riding the Wave of Technology

Ensoniq wasn’t content with just one hit wonder. No siree! The 1990s saw the birth of the legendary EPS series. These bad boys weren’t just keyboards; they were portals to a sonic universe where imagination ran wild.

EPS: Beyond the Ordinary

The EPS (Ensoniq Performance Sampler) series wasn’t your run-of-the-mill sampler. It was a beast with velocity-sensitive keys, an onboard sequencer, and a sonic palette that made other synths blush. Musicians could finally sculpt sounds with the finesse of Michelangelo carving marble!

💡 Pro Tip: The EPS series was a gateway drug to addiction, and the only cure was more Ensoniq!

The Digital Dream Unfolds

As the digital age dawned, Ensoniq rode the wave of change. The ASR-10, a digital sampler and workstation, emerged as the crown jewel. Picture this sleek machine as a musical Swiss Army knife – versatile, powerful, and fantastic!

The ASR-10: A Tale of Resilience and Musical Journeys

The ASR-10 wasn’t just a sampler but a one-stop shop for musicians hungry for sonic exploration. Ensoniq’s baby boasted a sequencer, effects, and a killer interface that made tweaking sounds feel like painting a masterpiece.

🚀 Tech Leap: Ensoniq wasn’t afraid to embrace technology. The ASR-10 was a quantum leap into the digital frontier!

My Personal Story with Ensoniq

The ASR-10 was my first synth and sampler. I was a guitar songwriter at the time, and my guitar teacher recommended it.

So my awesome dad took me to the shop and we got a brand new sparkling slick ASR 10, and i would spend long nights arranging music and sampling into it (You couldent save a thing and if the power goes out you are fucked).

That Sampler was a pure source of inspiration with its effects and sampling capabilities for three or four years until I spilled a glass of milk on it (And lost hard labor in the process).

But the sampler kept going, and you can hear much of it on my Debut Album. Then I moved places and stored it for a while. When it was time to pull it out, it no longer worked because the milk had badly damaged the keyboard, and the Sampler couldn’t load.

Fast-forward to the COVID-19 era, when I had a severe GAS illness (I’m recovered now). I went on a mission and got a brand new keyboard from the States and a Floppy Emulator from eBay. An 80-year-old man who used to service Ensoniq brought my Sampler back to life, and it still sounds like no other Hardware or ITB Emulation.

Ensoniq DP4/DP4+ Shares the same effect engine as the ASR 10 And its an Absolute Beast.

Ensoniq’s Impact on Electronic Music

Now, let’s fast forward to the present – where Ensoniq’s legacy echoes through the halls of electronic music. The impact has been nothing short of seismic, and here’s how:

Pioneering Sound Design

Ensoniq’s legacy lives on not just in machines, but in the sounds they birthed. The Mirage’s lo-fi charm and the ASR-10’s digital finesse shaped the sonic landscape of genres from hip-hop to techno. The machines weren’t just tools; they were partners in crime for sonic exploration!

💬 Quote Time: “Ensoniq isn’t a brand; it’s a sonic journey. Each beat, each note, tells a tale of innovation and passion.” – DJ Sonic Explorer

Shaping Hip-Hop Beats

Ever wondered where those iconic hip-hop beats came from? Ensoniq’s Mirage was the unsung hero behind the grit and rawness that defined the genre. It wasn’t just a sampler; it was the heartbeat of a revolution, influencing legends like Dr. Dre and Pete Rock.

🎤 Rhyme and Reason: Ensoniq gave hip-hop its groove. Without it, we might be stuck in a beatless abyss!

Home Studios on a Budget

Ensoniq democratized music production. The EPS series and ASR-10 weren’t just for big studios; they bridged the gap for bedroom producers. Suddenly, anyone with a passion for beats could create sonic symphonies without breaking the bank.

💰 Budget Beats: Ensoniq turned home studios into sonic playgrounds. Dreams became beats, and beats became anthems!

SUMMARY

Ensoniq products were highly professional. Key selling points were ease of use and their characteristic “fat,” rich sound (often described as “American” rather than “Japanese,” which was more “digital” and somewhat “cold”). After the Mirage, all Ensoniq instruments featured integrated sequencers (even their late ’80s and early ’90s samplers), providing an all-in-one “digital studio production concept” instrument. These were often called “Music Workstations”. High-quality effects units were included, starting with the VFX synthesizer; most synthesizers and all sampler models featured disk drives and RAM cards for storage. The manuals and tutorial documents were written for musicians and were highly musician-oriented, allowing users to quickly get satisfactory results from their machines. In 1988, the company enlisted the Dixie Dregs for a limited-edition promotional CD, “Off the Record,” which featured the band using the EPS sampler and SQ-80 cross-wave synthesizer.

Ensoniq Synths

1985 – Ensoniq Mirage

1986 – Ensoniq ESQ-1

1986 – Ensoniq SDP-1 Sampled Digital Piano

1988 – Ensoniq SQ-80

1988 – Ensoniq EPS

1989 – Ensoniq EPS-M

1989 – Ensoniq VFX

1990 – Ensoniq SQ-1

1990 – Ensoniq SQ-2

1990 – Ensoniq SQ-R, later Ensoniq SQ-R Plus

1990 – Ensoniq EPS 16 Plus

1990 – Ensoniq SD-1

1992 – Ensoniq KS-32

1992 – Ensoniq ASR-10

1993 – Ensoniq TS 10

1993 – Ensoniq DP/4

1995 – Ensoniq DP/2

1996 – Ensoniq MR61

1996 – Ensoniq KT-76

1997 – Ensoniq ASR X

1997 – Ensoniq E Prime

1998 – Ensoniq Fizmo

1998 – Ensoniq ZR-76

1998 – Ensoniq ASR X Pro

1998 – Ensoniq PARIS Digital Audio Workstation

2002 – Ensoniq Halo (E-mu product using Ensoniq brand)

Conclusion: The Beat Goes On

So there you have it, a whirlwind tour through “The History of Ensoniq and How They Impact the Electronic Music Industry.” From the gritty Mirage to the digital magic of the ASR-10, Ensoniq’s journey has been nothing short of legendary.

Ensoniq stands as a testament to the power of innovation and the enduring magic of sound in the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music. So next time you vibe to a beat or lose yourself in a synth riff, tip your hat to the wizards at Ensoniq, who made it all possible. The beat goes on, and so does the legacy of Ensoniq! 🎶

> You are welcome to write your opinion/experience with Ensoniq. If I have forgotten something or made a mistake, please correct me.

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