Institute of Illegal Images
The Verdict
"Mark McCloud's private collection of LSD blotter art, with tens of thousands of decorated sheets tracing counterculture visual history from the 1960s forward. Generally regarded as the largest collection of its kind. Visits are a personal tour from McCloud in his Mission District home, by appointment only. Free; donations welcome."
What you need to know
What’s There
The Institute of Illegal Images is the private collection of Mark McCloud, who has spent decades collecting LSD blotter art. The collection holds tens of thousands of decorated sheets and is generally considered the largest of its kind. Blotter sheets are small (each dose fits on a quarter-inch square), but the full-sheet designs are detailed. The collection traces counterculture visual history from the 1960s forward.
The collection is housed in McCloud’s Mission District home. Visits are by appointment only. You contact McCloud directly to arrange a time. If you get in, the visit is a personal tour from McCloud.
Visiting
Hours: By appointment only.
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
What to know: This is a private collection in a private home. Arrange the visit ahead of time. Be respectful of the space.
Getting There
Transit: Depends on the specific address. The Mission District is served by BART (16th St or 24th St stations) and multiple Muni lines.
Parking: Street parking in the Mission. Availability varies.
Filmed here
Productions the city recorded shooting at or beside Institute of Illegal Images.
- Mission Thrift, 2330 Mission St.36m awayGirlBoss 2017
- 386-388 Texas St at 19th St.55m awaySuper Pumped: The Battle for Uber 2022
- Mission at 20th St144m awayDEVS 2020
- Alioto Park145m awayDawn of the Planet of the Apes 2014
From the San Francisco Film Commission permit record.
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