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Hard Alchemy
In Hard Alchemy, I gilded coins of the lowest denomination: one cent, five cents, and ten cents. In a gesture of superficial alchemy, most specifically chrysopoeia which is the transmutation of base metals into gold, leafing the coins transformed them into something new. The change, previously nearly worthless, gained new allure both in presence and and value. They are anachronistic as there are no longer coins made of gold used in commerce. The coins remind us of pirate booty and of foil-coved chocolates all while they remain recognizable as legal tender. They have become the embodiment of desire, while still clinging to the truth of low value. Coins, 24k gold, 2016 ______________________________ Alice Yard is the backyard space of the house at 80 Roberts Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain. http://aliceyard.blogspot.com/ ______________________________ Special thanks to: Christopher Cozier, Sean Leonard and Nicholas Laughlin of Alice Yard Living World, The Journal of The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists' Club, Trinidad 2015
Ramayana: The Epic Journey, Sterling Publishers Private Unlimited, New Delhi, India 2010
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mail at asha ganpat dot com |