Panel 175, featuring Discovery, Tenderness, and Fruition
I’m delighted to have three new paintings included in Interactive, presented by the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition (BWAC), opening this weekend! Aromatherapy boxes augment the multisensory experience of the paintings in this series by evoking the memories, psychological associations, and subconscious effects of therapeutic-grade essential oils paired with corresponding images.
Visitors are invited to breathe in the space above the box to experience the painting in conjunction with the scent. As part of the new Reminiscent series, I chose a series of essential oils that created an aromatherapeutic journey echoing the shifting energetic focus of three particularly significant inflection points in a person’s life.
Discovery – rosemary essential oil
Rosemary essential oil is used for refreshment, rejuvenation, and stimulating the flow of the conscious mind. This heightened alertness is paired with Fibonacci spirals in an image of discovering one’s connectedness and place in the natural world.
Tenderness – jasmine essential oil
The fresh floral scent of jasmine evokes the exquisite, intoxicating delicacy of first kisses and falling in love in an image of the opening of infinite new possibilities from tender buds.
Fruition – cedarwood essential oil
A scent of fertility and abundance, cedarwood is associated with wisdom and beauty. This image explores plans and dreams in a life gathered together, a romantic love blooming to its fullness.
The wood of the accompanying boxes acts as an aromatherapy diffuser, allowing the essential oils to travel through holes in the lid to create a fragrant and evocative space around the painting.
Inside the box are soy wax and cotton pads impregnated with pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. The box interiors have also been rubbed with scented wax and hot oil to enhance the aromatherapeutic experience.
Interactive is on view every weekend September 23 through October 15, 1-6pm with an opening reception this Saturday and performances every weekend.
481 Van Brunt Street, Door 7
Red Hoook, Brooklyn (view map)
www.bwac.org
In addition to Interactive, BWAC is also hosting Material Matters, a juried exhibit of clay, glass, and wood; Grand Installations, a pop-up photo exhibit, and the Really Affordable Art $how, so there is truly something for everyone. I hope to see you there!