Initially designed for Owsley “Bear” Stanley, The Grateful Dead’s sound engineer, who was also the chemist behind the creation and distribution of a large portion of the LSD that was being consumed in the US in the 1960s and beyond.

The bears were designed by artist Bob Thomas to appear on the back cover of 1973's album "The History of the Grateful Dead", Volume 1 (Bear’s Choice), the bears have become deeply ingrained in the culture surrounding the band.

After the release of the album, the dancing bears started appearing on Owsley Stanley’s blotter art, which also happened to be in heavy circulation at Grateful Dead concerts.

Generative tribute artwork crafted in p5js / javascript.

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