Event Blog 1: Alchemy + Art

Ann McCoy's talk on her experience with the philosophy of alchemy and its influence on her artistic endeavors was fascinating not only due to its content but also because it tore down my nascent view of alchemy merely being a physical process that a niche group of people believe in. McCoy's explanation of symbolism within alchemy was a suiting introduction to a talk about how the field is very much entwined with art. For example, she presented a picture of a vase with three colored crows which stood for the three "primes" within alchemy. 

The three primes expressed via symbolism

It was also interesting to hear of how she started analyzing her dreams after a professional likened a childhood dream of hers with that of an ancient philosopher's. This account reminded of the 'two cultures' discussion from Week 1 as a psychiatrist may attribute such dreams and thoughts to chemical processes and past incidents in one's life whereas alchemists took them to be reflections of one's unconscious self. McCoy's decision to translate these reflections into art resulted in us viewing beautiful pieces produced by her - the one shown below was one of my favorites as she seems to have molded her dream's message according to the physical location she was in i.e, Egypt and also juxtaposed Egyptian history with symbols within alchemy. 

Osiris for Patsy O'Hara by Ann McCoy

The talk shall definitely influence my midterm project as it touches upon the idea that mental processes such as dreaming can be interpreted very differently by artists and scientists. It would be interesting to read about how artists like Van Gogh channeled their inner turmoil onto canvases and whether there actually health benefits rising from this catharsis. 

Proof of attendance



M, Nathan. “The History of Chemistry: The Three Primes.” The Periodic Table of Elements, https://www.breakingatom.com/learn-the-periodic-table/the-history-of-chemistry-the-three-primes.

McCoy, Ann. Osiris for Patsy O'Hara. 1981.

“Vincent's Illness and the Healing Power of Art.” Van Gogh Museum, https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/art-and-stories/stories/vincents-illness-and-the-healing-power-of-art.



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