Index

Here is an index to guide you through this in-depth guide, in which in addition to the 53 artworks, all information on the concept and the historical and anthropological research that led me to create these works is included.

As in previous collections, the central theme is always the promotion of neurodiversity.

• 1. Introduction: “The Horror is in the Eye of the Beholder”

• 2. Changelings: Diversity and Stigma in History and Folklore

• 3. Meltdown: Sensory Overload and Unexpressed Language

• 4. The Artworks

• 5. From Changelings to Crip Theory

• 5. From Judgment to Understanding: A Proposal for the Future

• 6. Digital Baroque: Light, Shadow, and Fractals

• 7. Prompt Design: The Visual Architecture

• 8. Numerical Symbolism: The Significance of 53

• 9. Conclusion

1. INTRODUCTION: “The Horror is in the Eye of the Beholder”

This project emerged from deeply intertwined experiences and reflections throughout 2023. In the days preceding the pivotal event, I was immersed in anthropological and historical readings on “Changelings” and the figure of the witch, examining theories connecting alleged witches to neurodivergent individuals. Many studies suggested that several people accused of witchcraft in past centuries were likely individuals with autistic or other neurodivergent conditions, persecuted due to their perceptual and behavioral differences.

These readings profoundly captivated my attention, continuously prompting reflections on the fragility of social perceptions regarding diversity and the lasting influence of historical and popular narratives.

One day in that period, during an ordinary supermarket visit, I witnessed a woman experiencing an autistic meltdown. Her cries, genuine manifestations of uncontrollable pain, were met with fear, disgust, and misunderstanding from other shoppers.

In that moment, I vividly realized how society still stigmatizes diversity without attempting genuine understanding.

That night, deeply affected by the experience, I had an intense symbolic dream: I envisioned an immense fresco depicting a collective autistic meltdown, where hundreds of people simultaneously experienced sensory crises. It was a powerful, dramatic image, capable of communicating collective suffering hidden from external view.

This dream became the spark for this project, aiming to illustrate that true horror lies not in neurodivergent crises themselves, but in society's judgmental gaze, unable to embrace diversity.

Collection Link (Foundation Platform, Ethereum L1):

2. CHANGELINGS: Diversity and Stigma in History and Folklore

In European tradition, a Changeling was believed to be a child replaced by fairies with a being from the fairy or demonic realm. Folklore explained the behavioral and perceptual differences of certain children, now scientifically understood as manifestations of neurodivergent conditions like autism.

In the image below, a detail from a 15th century work, we can see the concept of Changelings. This is perhaps one of the earliest documented representations of the popular perception of autism.

The idea of the changeling draws on the ancient folk belief that an abnormal child was not the real child of its putative parents, but a spirit, such as an elf, fairy, or goblin, left in the real child’s stead. Having been abducted from the parents, the true child was raised amongst its supernatural abductors, while the otherworldly child remained. Consistent with the more severe manifestations of autism, most changelings lacked typical social behavior. Refraining from talk or laughter, they would cry incessantly, remain silent, or seem to find enjoyment at someone else’s distress. On rare occasions, a changeling might unexpectedly utter a word or two, giving the impression that the creature obstinately refused to speak despite an ability to do so.

In Scandinavian culture, entities known as Bortbyting replaced human children with supernatural copies. In Northern Italy, particularly in alpine regions, the Servan or Masche were magical creatures believed to abduct human children, leaving behind fairy counterparts.

The changeling legend is not solely European: in Egypt, Djinn were believed responsible for child exchanges.

Often changelings were described as physically grotesque, but some of them, like some autistic individuals, were said to be of normal appearance and show exceptional ability in a single area such as music or concentrated work. A well-known historical example of a reputed changeling is the 12-year-old Saxon boy to whom Martin Luther referred in a biblical commentary of 1535 and a discussion with his associates in 1540. As the child was said to be able to do nothing but eat and excrete, Luther regarded it as a mass of flesh animated not by a human soul but by a devil. The situation, he believed, was one in which the devil had acted “to remove a child completely and put himself into the cradle in place of the stolen child.”

“The feral child” presents a mirror image of the changeling. In both cases, a child passes between the spheres of the human and the non-human; however, stories of feral children usually involve wild animals—rather than spirits—who adopt the child after it has been orphaned or abandoned by the human sphere. Typically the feral child is a young person who is found living alone in a forest and who shows no signs of having been socialized by humans. The apparently animal-like behavior of such children gave rise to the belief that they had been raised in the wild by wolves or other pack animals. Generally lacking social skills and language abilities, they often have difficulty integrating into human society after they are taken into care. One of the best documented cases is that of the Wild Boy of Aveyron, who was found in southern France in 1798–99.

All these narratives reflect attempts to rationalize neurobiological diversity, often resulting in tragic consequences for the affected children. Contemporary research, such as studies by Dr. Julie Leask, clearly identifies these stories as primitive interpretations of misunderstood neurobiological conditions, often leading to unjustified violence and persecution.

Similarly, many individuals—particularly women—accused of witchcraft were likely neurodivergent, exhibiting traits such as sensory sensitivity, unconventional communication styles, social withdrawal, or a heightened focus on particular interests. These attributes, now recognized within the spectrum of autism or other cognitive variances, were often interpreted as supernatural or threatening in past societies.

These historical accounts highlight a long-standing tradition of stigma and misunderstanding that continues to influence contemporary perceptions of neurodiversity.

The early modern period, especially during the height of European witch hunts, was rife with fear and superstition. Women who behaved outside societal norms—those who were reclusive, intellectually curious, or simply different—were vulnerable to accusations. Their behavior might have been perceived as defiant, erratic, or unsettling, drawing suspicion from communities already predisposed to find scapegoats. Traits now associated with ADHD or autism, such as hyperfixation, nonconformity, or blunt speech, could be construed as signs of malevolent magic.

Moreover, neurodivergent women often struggled to conform to expected gender roles, particularly those involving obedience, docility, and emotional legibility. When they resisted these roles—whether consciously or not—they were seen as dangerous anomalies. In such cultural climates, even minor social infractions or unexplained behaviors could be weaponized, especially when paired with misogyny, economic tension, or religious fervor.

Today, re-examining these histories sheds light on how systemic misunderstanding and exclusion of neurodivergent individuals shaped both folklore and institutional practices. The witch trials serve not only as a record of superstition and persecution, but also as a somber reflection of how societies have historically punished neurocognitive difference in the absence of understanding.

3. MELTDOWN: Sensory Overload and Unexpressed Language

An autistic meltdown is an intense, involuntary phenomenon resulting from sensory and emotional overload. It is neither an act of aggression nor a tantrum but a neurological reaction to overwhelming stimuli such as lights, sounds, odors, or intense emotions. This reaction can include manifestations such as screaming, physical agitation, or self-harming behaviors, all involuntary responses to profound internal distress.

This experience, often invisible or misunderstood, can lead neurodivergent individuals to moments of extreme vulnerability and social isolation. Society frequently misinterprets these episodes, mistakenly viewing them as problematic or aggressive behaviors rather than expressions of genuine pain and sensory overload.

In my personal experience as an autistic person, I have had very few meltdowns (mostly in my teens), but my overload can result in shutdown, which is more like an implosion. I am finishing a project on this concept which we will address later.

This project aims to visually represent this invisible and complex experience by using visual chaos to recreate for viewers the perception of overload, loss of control, and emotional isolation. This approach seeks to foster genuine, profound empathy, proposing the meltdown as an unexpressed language of internal crisis too intense to communicate verbally. It challenges the misleading concept of "normality," advocating instead for the neurodiversity paradigm introduced by Judy Singer, which posits neurological differences as natural variations in human experience that deserve recognition and respect.

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Additional Resources and Neuroaffirmative Glossary

• Meltdown: An involuntary emotional and sensory overload typical of autistic neurodivergence.

• Neuroaffirmative: A positive and inclusive approach to neurodivergences, viewing them as conditions rather than disorders to be corrected.

• Changeling: A folkloric figure symbolizing cultural fears of neurobiological diversity.

• Crip Theory: A cultural movement challenging social norms related to the body and disability, promoting inclusive and non-discriminatory perspectives.

• Neurodiversity Paradigm: Judy Singer, an Australian Sociologist is generally credited with the first academic use of the term Neurodiversity. This is her 1998 Honours thesis, which maps out the early stages of Neurodiversity and Neurodivergence. She used it to describe the idea that people have different brains and that there is no "normal" brain. Singer's work helped create a social justice movement that advocates for the inclusion of people with neurological differences

4. THE ARTWORKS

The 53 artworks were minted on 14 April 2025 on Ethereum (Layer 1) on the Foundation platform and available for sale from 16 April at 3:30 PM.

Each artwork will cost 0.10 ETH.

The works have a size of 10752 × 7168, 300DPI.

Collectors, once they have completed their purchase, can also write to me privately to receive a digital edition for full browsing of the high-resolution details (PNG over 100 MB).

The project is structured into five distinct narrative threads, each carefully designed to explore specific emotional, symbolic, and philosophical dimensions of autistic experiences. Each category serves as a unique lens through which viewers can engage with themes of sensory overload, bodily fragility, societal judgment, collective rituals, and dreamlike introspection.

1. CHAPTER I: Sensory Overload

Artworks explicitly depicting autistic meltdowns through intense visual stimuli, entangled bodies, and apparent disorder. These images immediately convey the overwhelming experience of sensory overload.

2. CHAPTER II: Fragile Bodies

This category includes artworks featuring explicit bodily deformities, directly connecting to the themes of changelings and Crip Theory. These images openly challenge societal concepts of bodily and neurological "normality."

3. CHAPTER III: Shadow and Judgment

Artworks where the symbolism of Caravaggio's chiaroscuro is particularly strong and evident, emphasizing the stark contrast between the darkness of societal prejudice and the illuminating power of awareness.

4. CHAPTER IV: Collective Rituals

These images portray meltdowns as shared, almost ritualistic events, explicitly referencing sacred or profane scenes, thus evoking the symbolic dimension of collective pain and catharsis.

5. CHAPTER V: Dream Fragments

Artworks that strongly evoke the dreamlike and visionary aspects of the project, explicitly referencing the dream that inspired it. Surreal and symbolic elements dominate here, allowing space for personal and intimate interpretations.

Chapter I: Sensory Overload

Here you can browse and discover individual artworks, divided by chapter and title, with a direct link to the mint page.

1. In the Eye of Judgment

A central female figure in white screams amidst a violent confrontation, representing a misunderstood autistic crisis surrounded by accusatory, judgmental gazes. The turbulent chaos around her symbolizes societal misunderstanding and rejection, underscoring the profound isolation of those whose sensory experiences differ from societal norms.

2. Shattered Perception

A turbulent burst of color, motion, and twisted forms illustrates the experience of intense sensory fragmentation. Bodies blend into a chaotic spectacle, capturing the disorientation and vulnerability of sensory overload. This piece portrays the emotional impact of neurodivergent crises, highlighting the invisible barriers faced by those navigating societal norms designed without their needs in mind.

3. The Edge of Control

Surrounded by vivid chaos, several central figures appear caught between panic and awe, encapsulating the fragile line between sensory overwhelm and resilience. The dramatic interplay of dark and bright tones mirrors internal emotional conflicts, challenging societal expectations of neurotypical "control" and inviting empathy for experiences of sensory overload.

4. Sensory Tsunami

A devastating wave sweeps over a group of screaming and flailing figures, a powerful and immediate metaphor for the sensory overload experienced during an autistic meltdown. The water represents the unstoppable influx of stimuli that invades every physical and emotional space, preventing any defence. This scene captures the intensity and desperation that characterises these moments, inviting the viewer to reflect on the overwhelming power of neurodivergent sensory experiences and the need for safe and understanding.

5. Scream in the Spiral

At the heart of a spiraling storm of figures is a single screaming individual in vivid red, embodying the center of an autistic meltdown. The chaotic, circular arrangement symbolizes how overwhelming stimuli trap neurodivergent individuals in a cycle of intense emotional and sensory pain. Each distorted face and tangled limb amplifies the struggle to communicate invisible suffering.

6. Echoes of Chaos

A swirling vortex of human bodies merges and collapses toward a central figure whose anguished expression radiates uncontrollable sensory distress. The distorted limbs and panicked gazes reflect the overwhelming experience of sensory overload, capturing the profound isolation felt by those misunderstood in their vulnerability. This work invites contemplation on society's responses to moments of invisible crisis.

7. Collision of Shadows

Two central figures confront each other amidst a sinister melee, their faces filled with horror, confusion, and sensory overwhelm. Dark shapes and grotesque forms around them symbolize the societal judgment and misunderstanding experienced during autistic meltdowns. This piece challenges the viewer to look beyond the initial fear and recognize deeper pain and humanity.

8. The Storm Within

An explosion of movement and color portrays individuals battling powerful waves, an intense metaphor for the sensory overload of autistic meltdowns. Figures struggle to stay afloat amidst overwhelming stimuli, symbolizing the emotional and sensory turmoil neurodivergent individuals experience in environments insensitive to their needs.

9. Entangled Minds

In the overwhelming chaos of this image, countless bodies intertwine and merge into a swirling mass of sensory turmoil, symbolizing the experience of an autistic meltdown. The facial expressions—marked by confusion, panic, and deep suffering—reflect the inner state of neurodivergent individuals when faced with unbearable sensory input. Shadows encroach from every direction, mirroring society's oppressive misunderstanding and judgment. Each figure struggles, yet remains interconnected, highlighting both isolation and shared vulnerability. This artwork challenges the viewer to move beyond the initial discomfort and recognize the profound complexity of neurodivergent experiences, evoking empathy for those who navigate such invisible battles daily.

Chapter II: Shadows and Judgment

10. The Oracle of Prejudice

Emerging from darkness into harsh light, the figures represent societal biases crystallizing into judgement. Inspired by Caravaggio’s dramatic contrasts, this scene depicts how prejudice clouds truth, branding individuals with unwarranted stigma, a reflection of humanity's continuous struggle between ignorance and understanding.

11. Accusation’s Echo

An anguished figure is surrounded by faces contorted with judgment, fear, and anger. Deep shadows envelop the scene, mirroring the darkness of prejudice. Drawing from Caravaggio’s emotive realism, this artwork encapsulates the destructive cycle of societal condemnation and persecution.

12. Temple of Bias

This scene erupts in fiery turmoil within a classical temple, a metaphor for institutionalized discrimination and entrenched bias. Drawing from Baroque intensity, the struggle illustrates how deeply rooted prejudices lead societies to violently reject differences instead of embracing diversity.

13. Pandemonium's Jury

A turbulent assembly of shadowy figures enacts a trial illuminated by fiery chaos. This imagery highlights the destructive outcomes of mob mentality and collective judgement. Each face embodies prejudice, echoing the unfairness and severity that society often projects onto the misunderstood.

14. Elevation from the Margins

Description: In stark illumination, outcasts and those labeled "different" defy oppressive shadows to claim their rightful place in the light. This scene powerfully challenges stereotypes and celebrates the resilience of those society tries to suppress.

15. Burden of Stereotypes

Dark and turbulent, this dynamic scene captures individuals struggling beneath the metaphorical weight of judgment. The stark contrasts and tense figures illustrate the internal and external struggles caused by prejudice, bias, and the demand to conform.

16. Blinded by the Bloom

Amidst a vibrant yet suffocating sea of flowers and light, a central figure is suspended in anguish. This composition symbolizes how biases can blind societies, masking prejudice behind beauty. Evocative of Caravaggio’s chiaroscuro, the work explores the duality between surface splendor and underlying intolerance.

17. Pyres of Perception

Within the tumultuous walls of an ancient hall set ablaze, figures grapple fiercely amidst flames and chaos. Inspired by Caravaggio’s dynamic compositions, this work visualizes the destructive power of biases and stereotypes, symbolizing how preconceived notions can ignite conflict and obscure human empathy.

18. The Judgment of Feathers

Majestic angels descend fiercely into the human sphere, symbolizing the rigid and punitive nature of societal norms. The scattered feathers represent lost innocence, where differences, misunderstood as flaws, lead to ruthless judgement and exclusion.

19. Chamber of Broken Mirrors

Chaotic figures enclosed within collapsing walls scream toward an unreachable source of enlightenment. Reflecting the distorted nature of stereotypes and the fragility of truth, the scene channels Caravaggio’s dramatic tension, highlighting humanity's desperate fight against self-imposed ignorance.

20. The Tribunal of the Other

A figure in dramatic agony is encircled by an accusing mob, illuminated harshly from above, reminiscent of Caravaggio’s stark judgment scenes. The painting reflects societal tribunals that punish those who deviate from perceived norms, exploring the oppressive weight of prejudice against difference.

21.The Weight of Whispered Truths

An illuminated bell emerges as a beacon from the shadows, drawing forth figures consumed by judgment and fear. Their faces reflect biases that silence diversity, reminiscent of the accusatory murmurs in a Caravaggio painting. This piece portrays the struggle against unseen yet oppressive societal judgments.

Chapter III: Fragile Bodies

22. Column of the Fragile

Bodies wrapped in vivid red fabric form a dramatic vertical column, suspended between falling and rising. They stretch out towards each other, desperately seeking connection amidst isolation. Their elongated limbs emphasize vulnerability and fragility, creating a powerful symbol of collective yearning and mutual dependence.

23. The Anatomy of Disquiet

A majestic yet haunting tableau captures an overwhelming spectacle of delicate human figures tangled amidst elegant Eastern architecture. Bodies appear fragmented, as if crafted from porcelain, their fragility amplified by chaos. Birds symbolize fleeting freedom, juxtaposing vulnerability and ephemeral beauty, evoking the sense of bodies caught between celebration and despair.

24. Ashen Ballet

Figures float and twist dramatically, their forms covered in ashen textures that blur identity and individuality. Movement here is desperate yet graceful, like a tragic ballet where the dancers' fragile bodies are subjected to the relentless pull of invisible threads, caught forever between gravity and transcendence.

25. Unveiled Agony

Within clouds of smoke and ephemeral apparitions, human bodies lose their solidity, becoming ephemeral illusions. Fragility manifests as transparency and distortion, echoing the vulnerability of identities that dissolve into misty chaos. The scene is both majestic and mournful, a visual representation of fleeting existence and hidden pain.

26. Carnival of Broken Masks

In an opulent yet grotesque ballroom, distorted figures dressed lavishly are in states of anguish or confrontation. Their faces—like masks—are cracked and misshapen, revealing their inner vulnerabilities. This artwork captures the paradox of social masquerades where outward majesty masks internal fragility, anxiety, and deformity.

27. Swirling Descent

Figures swirl in a dark vortex, their forms dissolving into a chaotic dance. Twisted limbs, expressive faces, and distorted anatomies embody fragility's emotional and physical extremes. They seem trapped in a downward spiral, highlighting the vulnerability of human beings amidst overwhelming forces.

28. The Theater of the Unseen

This dramatic scene portrays a tumultuous wave of contorted bodies merging into darkness under a heavy velvet curtain. Their movements convey struggle, despair, and collective vulnerability, symbolizing hidden emotional and physical fragilities emerging forcefully into view, yet concealed by societal expectations.

29. Ascension in Chaos

Human bodies ascend and dissolve simultaneously, caught between darkness and ethereal light. They appear weightless, yet their movements convey struggle rather than freedom. This composition evokes the fragile human desire for liberation, held captive by existential chaos and emotional turmoil.

Chapter IV: Collective Rituals

30. The Pandemonium Rite

A chaotic, opulent scene unfolds in a grand temple, filled with lavishly dressed figures in violent struggle and confused disarray. The air vibrates with tension as figures clash and birds wildly dart through the interior, symbolizing the collapse of order and the eruption of suppressed impulses.

31. Revelry of the Exalted

A grand scene captures chaotic rituals erupting within a lavish setting. Frantic movements, violent gestures, and vivid emotions create a complex tapestry that explores human excess and collective hysteria. An extravagant portrayal of societal disintegration through ceremonial chaos.

32. Menagerie of Disorder

Far from the glitz and the sumptuousness, an explosion of primordial instincts shatters the bonds that shatter into many pieces to be reassembled. Human beings collapse in a frenzy of frustration, suffering and surrender, symbolising the fragile veneer of civilisation dissolving into a primordial ritual.

33. Deep Waters of the Outcasts

Beneath heavy, dark curtains, bodies twist in a haunting choreography, seemingly under a witch’s spell. This frantic, shadowy dance evokes ancient rituals where those labeled as witches or outsiders defiantly reclaim their identities, blurring the boundary between curse and liberation.

34. A Painful Pantheon

A dramatic theater houses an intense physical and emotional confrontation, as bodies clash passionately under heavy curtains, highlighting the fierce spectacle of collective human drama.

35. The Origin of Discord

In a dim, cavernous space, human bodies are woven into a visceral tapestry of turmoil and despair. The figures, entangled with dark, thread-like tendrils, embody an intense collective anguish, echoing the inevitable entwinement of human destinies amidst chaos.

36. Surge of the Restless

Bodies cascade upward in a surreal, swirling torrent of emotional and physical upheaval. At the apex, ghostly faces and ethereal forms emerge from the storm, illuminating the transformative yet painful journey from despair toward enlightenment.

37. Flight of the Unbaptized

An extravagant banquet hall is the backdrop of a frantic ritual, a wild display of grotesque revelry. Dignitaries, animals, and bizarre hybrid creatures partake in an exuberant dance of excess and lunacy, revealing the thin boundary between civilized restraint and primal madness.

38. Obscure Communion

Bodies spin in a wild tempest toward a distant burst of divine illumination, embodying a collective rebellion against existential darkness. This tumultuous ascent symbolizes humanity’s relentless yet chaotic quest for spiritual liberation.

39. Paradise Lost

Under an intense light, an intense drama of violent overload unfolds. Individuals move mournfully in an intricate web of fury and despair, portraying the collective turmoil of society hidden behind the mask of order and spectacle. The hope of finding peace dissolves into oblivion.

40. The Ecstatics’ Apotheosis

Figures swirl upward in a turbulent dance, seemingly dissolving into ethereal forms. Caught between agony and exaltation, they rise toward an uncertain celestial embrace, embodying the perilous pursuit of communal transcendence.

41. The Feast of Madness

The figures merge and blur into swirling shapes, representing a ritual merging of individual identities into one shared experience. This ephemeral meeting of diversities symbolises the transient and delicate nature of collective unity in the midst of turbulence, under relentless cultural pressure in the constant hunt for the ‘different’, depicted through folkloric misperception.

Chapter V: Dream Fragments

42.The Awakening of Reason

In a dreamlike scene of awakening, humanity discovers the enlightening power of reason overcoming shadows of fear. Inspired by Platonic ideals, the composition portrays a philosophical journey from illusion towards clarity, embracing diverse minds and potentialities.

43. The Agora of Shared Dreams

Set within an ethereal agora—symbol of dialogue and understanding—a dream unfolds, inspired by Socratic discourse. The gathering transcends misunderstandings, creating an open space where diverse identities meet and exchange visions for a united, compassionate future.

44. Infinite Reflections of Time and Virtue

A dynamic vision exploring the multiplicity of virtue, echoing Aristotle's ethics. Figures rise together, transcending personal biases to reveal the collective strength found in empathy, courage, and acceptance—dreaming a reality shaped by inclusive values.

45. The Dawn of Compassion

Together amid uncertainty, individuals weave hope, reflecting philosophical virtues of unity, dialogue, and shared destiny.

46. Threads of Hope

A vivid portrayal of humanity interwoven by empathy and acceptance. The vision captures the promise of unity, each difference enhancing the vibrant tapestry of the future.

47. Inner Peace Revolution

As confusion dissipates, collective turmoil yields to luminous understanding. Reflecting Epicurean ideals, this dream embraces tranquility, urging humanity towards internal revolutions that redefine what it means to thrive.

48. Harmony Within Dissonance

In swirling disorder, diverse souls reach out in mutual recognition. A visual hymn to Aristotle’s Golden Mean, proposing equilibrium in chaos. Dreams manifest as bridges, connecting disparate realities in compassionate coexistence.

49. Wisdom Beyond Chaos

In the chaos of a turbulent dreamscape emerges a guiding light inspired by Stoic wisdom. Here, disorder transforms into tranquility as individuals recognize their interconnectedness, accepting what cannot be changed and courageously improving the shared world.

50. Slow Birth of New Paradigms

Amid serene turmoil, humanity witnesses the delicate emergence of new life. Philosophical whispers echo Plato's call for a deeper truth, evoking a dreamlike hope where every difference becomes a cherished strength.

51. The Emergence of Clarity

An evocative reinterpretation of Plato's Allegory of the Cave, where shadows dissolve into revelations of truth. Dream fragments symbolize breaking free from prejudice, stepping into an enlightened space that celebrates differences as a path to collective harmony.

52. Seeds of Enlightenment

Surrounded by chaos, figures gaze towards a luminous core. Dreams blur reality's harsh edges, guiding humanity toward an awakening of collective understanding. A Socratic moment of introspection, inspiring a future rooted in empathy and clarity.

53. The Transcendence of the Self

Influenced by the philosophy of self-awareness and unity in diversity, this scene depicts individuals transcending personal and social barriers, with a woman at the centre raising her consciousness. The dream becomes the act of imagining collectively, moving humanity towards a reality in which uniqueness is respected and celebrated as the core of community growth. This image, which concludes the Changelings project, is meant to symbolise the rebirth of society, finally open to the concept of coexistence.

5. DIGITAL BAROQUE: Light, Shadow, and Fractals

The synthetic photographs created using artificial intelligence directly draw inspiration from Chiaroscuro’s painting style and Baroque frescoes. This stylistic choice is deliberate: the intense contrast between light and shadow symbolizes the dichotomy between empathy and misunderstanding, awareness and prejudice, the illumination of knowledge and the darkness of ignorance.

Each artwork features extremely high resolution (10752 × 7168, 300 DPI) and intricate fractal details that, when viewed from a distance, present a chaotic and sublime impression, but upon closer inspection, reveal complex, fascinating, and unsettling details.

This invitation to slow, thorough contemplation of each piece metaphorically mirrors the complexity of neurodivergent experiences, emphasizing the need for patience, attention, and openness beyond initial superficial impressions.

6. FROM CHANGELINGS TO CRIP THEORY

Observing the works closely reveals unsettling details of distorted, unrealistic, and transformed bodies, directly referencing changeling folklore and historical Freak Shows. These elements critically engage with Crip Theory, a cultural movement challenging traditional social norms concerning disability and physical and neurological diversity.

This provocative aesthetic choice intentionally highlights society’s distorted, stigmatizing perception of neurodiversity, strongly condemning the symbolic violence perpetuated by societal judgment.

7. FROM JUDGMENT TO UNDERSTANDING: A Proposal for the Future

"Changelings: a Collective Meltdown" aims to profoundly raise societal awareness about neurodiversity, advocating a paradigm shift from judgment and misunderstanding toward empathy, respect, and informed acceptance, inspired by a neuroaffirmative approach.

8. PROMPT DESIGN: The Visual Architecture

The design process behind this prompt began with a vivid dream that sparked inspiration from Baroque art, particularly focusing on the intense contrasts and emotional depth offered by chiaroscuro. My vision was to create something akin to a grand fresco, capturing human figures in an explosion of collective rage.

I prefer meticulous precision, investing considerable time to perfect the prompt's wording. Finding a strong narrative line at the beginning is crucial, as it streamlines the entire creation process that follows, making subsequent steps smoother and more coherent.

Differing from previous neuroaffirmative projects, I intentionally structured this series inversely by embedding societal stereotypes, biases, and harsh judgments directly within the prompts. My goal was to confront viewers with the stark reality of society's severe perspectives on sensitive issues, achieving a powerful and dark aesthetic. Yet, within this darkness, I sought visual harmony.

Inspired by the early Romantic era's concept of the "Sublime," as articulated by William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and earlier theorized by Edmund Burke, I aimed to evoke an overwhelming emotional experience through imagery—an aesthetic that is simultaneously compelling and unsettling.

After establishing the foundational structure of the prompt, I adapted it specifically according to the settings or subjects I had in mind for each piece. Once I finalized the 53 preferred artworks, I utilized an AI enhancement application, reintroducing the same detailed prompts to refine visual clarity and intricacy further.

A critical phase of the enhancing process involved focusing on fractality. I deliberately intensified prompt descriptions to amplify societal horror, generating infinitely grotesque details, subtle at first glance but increasingly evident upon closer examination.

Another essential aspect of this collection is the perception of time. Just as experiencing a meltdown can distort one's sense of temporal reality, these images require extended viewing to fully grasp their complexity, with symbolic details deliberately concealed throughout each piece, inviting prolonged exploration and introspection.

9. NUMERICAL SYMBOLISM: The Significance of 53

The number of artworks in this project— 53 —was chosen with intention and meaning. It is not a random total, but one grounded in both mathematical elegance and symbolic resonance.

From a mathematical perspective, 53 is a prime number, indivisible except by one and itself. Even more uniquely, it is the sum of five consecutive prime numbers: 5 + 7 + 11 + 13 + 17. This arithmetic structure echoes the very architecture of the project, which is itself composed of five distinct narrative threads. Just as these five primes together generate something greater than the sum of their parts, so too do the five narrative categories contribute to a fuller understanding of the autistic experience as explored in this collection.

Symbolically, the number 53 has long been associated with transformation, intuition, and the balance between chaos and order. In various esoteric traditions, it represents the fusion of motion and structure, creativity and discipline—an ideal reflection of the emotional and conceptual balance I sought to express throughout this body of work. It is a number linked with spiritual curiosity, the breaking of old patterns, and the affirmation of individual paths through complexity and transition.

Some symbolic interpretations of the number 53 include:

• A reference to the human being as both divine and imperfect: 5 as the number of humanity, and 3 as the number of spirit.

• A symbol of creative potential emerging from inner struggle.

• An indication of strength through instability—53 is seen as the moment before equilibrium is reached.

• In certain traditions, 53 is related to the journey of the soul through conflict toward illumination.

• The combination of 5 (freedom, change, individuality) and 3 (communication, expression, creativity) suggests a process of transformation through expressive acts.

Historically, the number 53 has appeared in a variety of meaningful contexts:

• In ancient Rome, the number 53 was associated with protection and renewal during transitional phases.

• In Islamic culture, 53 is the number of surahs in the Qur’an titled “The Star” (An-Najm), which discusses divine revelation and transcendence.

• In classical Greek numerology (isopsephy), combinations of numbers like 5 and 3 were used symbolically to reflect balance between the earthly and the divine.

• In Tarot, the number 53 is sometimes associated with the culmination of a long inner journey—a threshold before the emergence of insight.

As described in esoteric numerology, 53 symbolizes the energy of change and growth, tempered by clarity of purpose. This echoes the core of the project’s intention: to present autistic meltdowns and the narratives around them not as something broken or chaotic, but as deeply meaningful phenomena that deserve time, care, and reinterpretation.

In choosing 53 artworks, I wanted to suggest that there is an underlying structure—fractal, emotional, symbolic—beneath what might initially appear as disorder. It is an invitation to slow down, look closer, and consider the intelligence embedded within complexity.

9. CONCLUSION

Thank you for reading this guide and delving into the concept of Meltdown and the perception of autism in historical popular culture, topics related to the macro-category of neurodiversity that I have been addressing for several years now in a neuro-affirmative manner, as a neurodivergent person.

The next project, started in 2024, will deal with the manifestation of “shutdown” following an overload, in a way an “opposite” mode to meltdown. It is also a characteristic that represents me, so the topic will be approached from a more introspective perspective.

If you enjoyed this guide and this topic, I recommend you read the other guides to my collections on my main Mirror page.

Mirkolis