This panel explores the potential convergences between 1960s psychedelia and medieval material culture, including surreal imagery, animation, bright colors, and the cross-pollination of disparate media attempting to evoke a hallucinogenic or heightened response in the viewer. 

We invite proposals for 20-minute papers considering medieval material culture through a psychedelic lens, or vice versa. A sampling of topics may include devotional objects and visionary or mystical encounters; medievalism in 1960s fashion and design; artistic representations of, or artifacts associated with, psychoactive plant and fungi cultivation; or the synesthetic/multisensory impact of objects. We welcome proposals from scholars working on all aspects of medieval objects, across any chronological or geographical focus. Non-traditional and experimental approaches are strongly encouraged, as well as interdisciplinary methods. 

This session will be held in person at the 61st International Congress of Medieval Studies. Paper abstracts of 300 words must be submitted to the ICMS proposal portal no later than September 15th, 2025. The portal can be found here: https://icms.confex.com/icms/2026/prelim.cgi/Session/7248 

If you have any questions, please contact Sophie Durbin (sophiekhdurbin@gmail.com) and Clara Poteet (clara.poteet@yale.edu).