THE STARS GIVE & FLOWERS RECEIVE: Alchemical Distillation & Perfume Making

3910 Los Feliz Boulevard,Los Angeles CA 90027

22 September, 2022

Description

This class will introduce you to the wonderful world of botanical distilling, an ancient process that is still used to create hydrosols and essential oils today. Together we will set up a traditional copper alembic still - the same kind that ancient alchemists used. As the still works its magic revealing the plant’s essence and aroma, we’ll investigate the alchemical history of distillation as well as the philosophical and practical uses of this ancient craft. Everyone will leave with their own 1 oz hydrosol. This class is facilitated by Syd Buffman and Eliza Swann. Sydney Buffman is a multidisciplinary artist in Los Angeles, California. She has a background in art direction/design, perfumery, incense making, and herbalism. She started SYD Botanica in 2015 making handmade incense. Sydney has worked on perfumery commissions for design institutions such as the Stanford d. School and CodaWorx. She is also a founding member of the Coalition of Sustainable Perfumery (COSP). Her creative work is heavily influenced by psychology, science, spirituality, and play. She believes that perfumers are astronauts of the subconscious. Eliza Swann is an interdisciplinary artist, intuitive, writer, and educator based in New York City and Twentynine Palms, CA. Eliza received a BA in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute, and an MFA from Central St. Martins in London. They are currently teaching alchemy at the Pratt Institute. Eliza founded the Golden Dome School in 2014 as an educational and curatorial platform for artists to explore mysticism. This event is in support of BOILING AND DIVINE: Art and Alchemy with the Golden Dome School on view in the Hansell Gallery from 9/17-10/15 on view Tuesday-Friday 12-6pm. “How does Nature learn to give and to receive? Metals give and plants receive. The stars give and flowers receive. The sky gives and the earth receives. Thunder yields flashing fire. All things are interwoven and unravel. All things mingle and fuse. All things mingle and disperse. All things moisten and dry. Inhalation and exhalation are the method of Nature. Nature rotates and cycles back upon itself." - Visions of Zosimos, Zosimos of Panopolis, 3rd c CEBOILING AND DIVINE is a collection of artworks and a series of lectures made in response to the literary and visual legacy of alchemy. Participating artists made work alongside one another during the Golden Dome School's ALCHEMICAL IMAGINATION intensive led by Eliza Swann and is being exhibited at the Philosophical Research Society from September 17th-October 15th. Manly Palmer Hall and PRS have contributed an enormous amount to the preservation and propagation of the divine arts of alchemy – we are indebted to him. The Golden Dome is an educational and curatorial platform dedicated to studying the relationship between art and mysticism. ARTISTS: Syd Buffman Jesse Carsten Josie Close Elizabeth Huey Sarah Manuwal Mollie McKinley Samantha Rehark Carolina Mariana Rodriguez Eliza Swann with performances by Diva Dompé, Kwonyin, Patrick Mansfield THE STARS GIVE AND FLOWERS RECEIVE IS BEING HELD IN THE PRS AUDITORIUM. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]. COVID-19 Protocols for the Philosophical Research Society To ensure safety for visitors and staff, PRS has implemented the following measures: Please stay home if you are feeling sick. Check the CDC website for coronavirus symptoms.Please do not visit if you come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms in the 14 days prior to your visit.Face masks are strongly recommended to all visitors and staff indoors. See LA County recommendations. ​Please use the outdoor courtyard when eating or drinking.​Capacity is limited for the purposes of safety.Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the campus.All visitors must follow the posted rules.More information: Los Angeles County: https://covid19.lacounty.gov Los Angeles City: https://coronavirus.lacity.org http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/HOO/HOO_SaferReturnWorkCommunity.pdf An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. We cannot guarantee you will not be exposed to COVID-19 during your visit. Those visiting the Philosophical Research Society, Inc. do so at their own risk of such exposure.