Processing the Elixir of Transformation

'Life mimics the processes that make it a whole'...That was the original description and along with the original title not much else was remarked of... more

by Terrance DePietro

Title

Processing the Elixir of Transformation

Artist

Terrance DePietro

Medium

Painting - Sumi Ink

Description

'Life mimics the processes that make it a whole'...That was the original description and along with the original title not much else was remarked of the image for more than twenty five years. Of course the visual reference to Alchemy and the processes dated therein were recognized and by extension the obscure rituals predating alchemy of initiation and rites of passage are clear but today more information has come from an outside source that further defines the process and so it must be shared: the symbolism of "'belly' as it equates symbolically with the alchemic laboratory, or, in other words, with the place where transmutations are effected..." (Cirot). And his use of the word 'metamorphoses' for the natural process coupled with the term 'belly-laboratory' (of the alchemists) and finally clarifying that "...the belly-laboratory becomes, in a scene, the ANTITHESIS TO THE BRAIN". And there the more important point is made: that the 'work' is not generated in the brain's thinking but in the gut, the feeling center, so to speak. Once again the import of image as a succinct messenger, with more than the brain might 'think' to include shows to be more profound and trusted companion when the opus is searching the depths of humanities reservoir of experience...hermetic function rising and lowering between here and what is termed 'there'...15Feb15

Uploaded

November 21st, 2007