Alchemical Pipe Dream

From Roman times into the 19th century, Alchemists used a secret language of pictures to record and communicate their recipes to other Alchemists. They drew and painted scenes where every detail within the picture symbolized something specific. The subjects and surroundings would represent certain elements and chemicals, and the action taking place within the scene represented instructions on how to alter or prepare the elements and chemicals to produce the desired result. This painting is a simple recipe for hashish, using the Alchemical style of communication: First, a female marijuana plant must be cut down at the height of its sexual maturity. The plant is then hung until dry. Next, leaves sticking out which are bigger than the tip of the thumb are cut off. Finally, the plant is repeatedly passed through a fine mesh and the pollen and dust is collected and packed tightly in a wooden box. The material will conglomerate into a ball of hashish, which is the form in which it is smoked. The secondary theme this painting presents is how men alter the female form to make it a “consumable” object, as is seen in advertising and other types of mass media in our society.

By Skot Olsen. One of my favourite contemporary artists. 'Nuff said.