DESMA 9 Event 1

 In the presentation “Desma 9: Alchemy + Art with Ann McCoy’s” various art works by Ann McCoy and others were displayed and analyzed. Before McCoy’s artistic career, she struggled with alcohol abuse, depression, and attempted suicide. From this dark place, McCoy flourished and created extraordinary colored pencil art work. Essentially, McCoy acts as a buffer of both spiritual and physical alchemy. Spiritually she is “freeing” (Sol 1) her “spiritual self” (Sol 1) through incorporating her dreams to create beautiful, substantial forms of art. 


Her artistic vision was rooted in her own subconscious. Her vivid dreams inspired her to create intricate and intriguing pieces. McCoy claims that “80% of what happens to you in your life comes from what happens below” (McCoy) Freudian’s ego. McCoy’s process occurs away from the ego which is “responsible for dealing with reality” (Cherry 1).


(McCoy)


McCoy’s “The Death of my Father,”as seen above, is a depiction of her dream. Although the illustrations displayed seem random, each being carries a certain connotation. McCoy describes the crows as the “leading of depression” (McCoy); most likely the depression that she carried on throughout her college years. The eggs possess a “cosmogonic symbol” (McCoy). These eggs symbolize “new life coming up from the unconscious” (McCoy). 

(McCoy)

Art is usually viewed and interpreted from a third party that has no knowledge of what message the artist is trying to send. Therefore, the opportunity to hear the artist’s take on their own work was very fascinating. McCoy’s art is so special and original that it contrasts Douglas Davis’s claims that art’s originality is “eroding, if not finally collapsed” (Davis 2). McCoy’s artistic process was very interesting and I look forward to viewing her art in the future


Bibliography

Center, Art|Sci. “DESMA 9: Alchemy + Art with Ann McCoy.” Vimeo, 23 Apr. 2022, https://vimeo.com/696302549. 

Cherry, Kendra. “Id, Ego, and Superego Are Part of a Structural Model of Personality.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 20 Nov. 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951.

Davis, Douglas. The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction (1991-95).

Sol, Mateo, et al. “7 Stages of Spiritual Alchemy.” LonerWolf, 25 Mar. 2022, https://lonerwolf.com/spiritual-alchemy/. 

 

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