Psychedelic Interiors: Chris Miele
Words & photography by Chris Miele
The more I explore Detroit, the more I love her architecture, and especially her interiors. From Art Deco tiles to Mid-century angles, scenes far deeper than the surface begin to unfold. Vaulted ceilings and towering atriums give way to striking visual ascension. What started as a series to find and frame psychedelic patterns soon became a search to showcase spaces that emerged as portals. For the first installment of this series, I chose to highlight new or celebrated structures, with a focus on varying architectural designs, which create immersive and psychedelic scenes.
I wanted to build a series of images that shed light on our perspective of space. We've all looked up, but have we really looked OUT? There are scenes all around us every day that defy this realm, and when I started scouring and shooting choice interiors, the findings were more apparent than ever. Cubes, triangles, reflected light, intense vanishing points… all elements married together to create undeniably psychedelic symphonies hidden in designs that have surrounded us for decades.
A defining characteristic of these spaces was that they harbored physical walls, ceilings, and barriers, yet the reality of a world beyond was very visible. I wanted to emphasize the borders and blockades, while highlighting their dual functions as gateways. It became a challenge to use lines and light to emphasize these portals and give visual life to these not-so-distant realms occupied by the unknown, awash with infinite possibilities. These images show that where there's restriction, greater expansion is still possible.
Chris Miele believes in creating fine art with a purpose by telling stories that engage and intrigue. You can see more of his work at Adventure Guy.