ISSUE 02journal, literature, transcendence02 / Oasis

Photograph by Selina Sea Gutt


l’Oliva




01.11.2023

WORDS BY SELINA SEA GUTT

Leaving Italy after four weeks, packed with two huge suitcases ragged by its weight, trying to balance two big five liter olive oil cans on top, I’m thinking about what a man said to us seeing us in the streets of bologna pulling our stuff behind us.
He wouldn’t let us pass without sticky taping our olive oil cans to our suitcases because he believes its bad omen to spill olive oil.
This scene replays so beautifully in my head. To me the beauty of superstitions lies in their cultural and historical richness, and the narratives that often accompany them, offering people a way to navigate the complexities of the world.

 After spending the last days harvesting an olive grove in Tuscany region I learn with trees defining the landscape, oil defines culture. Their abstract forms reflect centuries of shaping, generation after generation, in the structure of these ancient trees, humans were nature's carving tool.
Initially, olives and their oil were not used for edible consumption. Oil gathered from pressing the fruit was used to salve priests, pharaohs and lubricated on wealthy bodies to keep good hygiene.
With time, this precious liquid was utilized in every facet of ancient Mediterranean life, from fuel and food to medicine and cosmetics.







The cultural significance of the olive tree can be traced back to ancient Greek culture. It was considered a sacred tree, associated with the goddess Athena. Olive oil, derived from the fruit of the olive tree, was also a valuable commodity in ancient Greece and had various uses, including in religious ceremonies. The olive wreath, made from the branches of the olive tree, became a symbol of peace, wisdom, and prosperity.

Offering an olive branch was a gesture of goodwill, and the symbolism extended to the crowns awarded to victorious athletes. It reinforced the idea that athletic competitions were not just about rivalry and conflict but also about celebrating skill and achievement.
Olive crowns were not limited to athletic events. They were also used to honor individuals for civic achievements or contributions to the community. This practice helped reinforce a sense of civic duty and encouraged individuals to strive for excellence in various aspects of life.
Over time, the tradition of wearing olive crowns became deeply ingrained in Greek culture and society. The crowns were seen as prestigious symbols of accomplishment and were often depicted in art and literature as well.

Working on my L’Oliva Rings I am drawing inspiration from the ancient wisdoms of the olive tree while adapting them to resonate with modern sensibilities, values and aesthetics that go beyond mere adornment, connecting with the person who wears them on a deeper level and promoting the idea of harmony and peace in contemporary life. 
ISSUE 01materials, culture01 / cultivating inner value
History teaches us that the value and importance we attach to material possessions, such as gold, are a product of human perception and the cultural and historical context in which we exist. The value of gold is not inherent in the metal itself but is rather assigned by humans. Looking back the human tendency to seek and hoard wealth, which is a characteristic that has existed since ancient times, can be seen as a manifestation of the ego's desire for power.


read 
ISSUE 02journal, literature, transcendence02 / Oasis
Shaping metal has a long history and when sitting at my bench, I feel connected to the ancient wisdoms and the cultural heritage it transported since the metal sank toward the planets core. Around 4 billion years ago, a storm of stars impacted the earth, where all of the gold and silver found came from - the debris of dead stars.



read 
ISSUE 03nature, culture 03 / l’Oliva
Spending the last days harvesting an olive grove in Tuscany, I learn with trees defining the landscape, oil defines culture. The abstract forms of olive trees reflect centuries of shaping, generation after generation, in the structure of these ancient trees, humans were nature's carving tool.



read 
ISSUE 01materials, culture01 / cultivating inner value



While working on my bronze bustier I noticed a deeply rooted desire for certain materials. As soon as the metal substituted the wax that traced the shape of my body, it has gotten a whole new meaning. But the preciousness of metals goes beyond their material value. They are precious because of the profound impact they have had on human history and culture. They possess an aura of rarity and beauty that captivates the heart and mind. They are both rare and enduring, like the bonds of love and friendship that sustain us through the ups and downs of life. Precious metals are not just physical objects; they embody our hopes and dreams, our triumphs and struggles, and the enduring legacy of human civilisation.

Since the dawn of our existence, we have been enamored with the beauty and allure of gold. Perhaps it was the first metal we ever knew, and even our earliest ancestors were fascinated by its radiant and lustrous appeal. One can understand why primitive man was so drawn to gold. It was found in small, shining nuggets, uncompounded by the weight of other metals or rocks. Its bright yellow hue was captivating, and even the earliest humans delighted in owning and adorning themselves with it. As time passed, people came to realise that gold was more than just a pretty bauble. It was the most easily worked of all metals, and a nugget of gold could be hammered thin and molded into any shape one desired. From simple hair hoops to regal crowns and coronets, gold became a symbol of status and power, coveted by all who laid eyes upon it. But the supply of this precious metal was limited, and soon those who could not find their own gold began to offer other items in exchange for this fancy substance. Thus, gold became a medium of exchange, a means of storing value for the future, and a measure of worth that would last for centuries.



As the centuries passed, gold continued to hold its value, and it was fashioned into coins as a way of indicating its weight and fineness, making it even more convenient to trade and exchange. Soon, bankers began to store gold in their vaults for safety's sake, and they would give a written pledge to deliver the gold on demand. From this practice, governments began to issue currency, or money, that was also simply a pledge to deliver a certain amount of gold on demand.

History teaches us that the value and importance we attach to material possessions, such as gold, are a product of human perception and the cultural and historical context in which we exist. Gold's value is not inherent in the metal itself but is rather assigned by humans. Looking back the human tendency to seek and hoard wealth, which is a characteristic that has existed since ancient times, can be seen as a manifestation of the ego's desire for power, status, and security, and it can lead to greed, selfishness, and corruption.

Gold has contributed to the development of human civilization. If utilised wisely and ethically, the material world and its resources, including gold, can be used for positive purposes. We need to understand the importance of recognising the limitations of material possessions and the need to cultivate inner values, such as compassion, wisdom, and generosity, which are way more enduring and meaningful than material wealth.



ISSUE 02journal, literature, transcendence02 / Oasis

Photograph by Selina Sea Gutt


OASIS




04.01.2024

WORDS BY SELINA SEA GUTT

Shaping metal has a long history and when sitting at my bench, I feel connected to the ancient wisdoms and the cultural heritage it transported since the metal sank toward the planets core. Around 4 billion years ago, a storm of stars impacted the earth, where all of the gold and silver came from - the debris of dead stars.

Extending back to 1500 bc and even earlier, Alchemists believed that materials like gold and silver could be recreated if the right combination of ingredients and transformative methods were found. The mysticism behind changing elements was marked by experimental discovery and practical skill. 

Theres no other book than the Alchemist by Paolo Coelho that could explain to me so beautifully why the process of creating objects and jewelry makes me feel so aligned. 
Once I felt it, the self imposed barriers I had build up over the years of trying to navigate myself towards expressing my gifts, dissapeared. Finding my vision and purpose ignited a fire. The book teached me about the concept of the personal legend which is a reminder that each one of us has a unique gift to offer to the world. It's a call to live a life of passion, meaning, and fulfillment. To make the most of the time we have on this earth. It's an emotional and powerful idea that keeps inspiring me to listen to my heart, no matter where it may lead me. 

In the alchemist, the oasis represents a nourishing sanctuary and a place of rest for travelers in the midst of their journey of finding their personal legend. It is a place where people can come together and find a sense of community and replenish their physical and emotional energy before continuing on their journey.
In the ASEO OASE I'm sharing what sticked with me on my journey of self-discovery. I'm continuously creating a fertile space where people can come to feel inspired and supported on their journey, to connect with others who are also seeking their personal legend, and to find the resources and perspectives they need to make their dreams a reality.

Alchemy unfolds as more than a process of transmuting metals. It is a continuous metamorphosis originating within, an ongoing journey of internal transformation.




Egyptian alchemy is a spiritual tradition that aims to transform the soul and achieve a higher level of consciousness. It is a process of self-discovery and  synchronises the individual with the universal natural forces.
We need to go through seven stages of transformation to achieve a higher level of ourselves. 

The first stage is Calcination. All material in the universe derives from a primal primitive source. In the first stage the materia prima - the hidden and burden parts of our consciousness, is being released. This phase is known as the chaos phase where the ego is burned by the fire element. Our worldly attachments, the desire for status, wealth, and the need to solidify our identity will burn to ashes. 

In the second phase - Dissolution, the ashes that remain after calcination are dissolved in water. The water symbolizes the uncouncious, hidden parts of ourselves. We dissolve our old image of our self and our souls are being freed from surpressedemotions and our physical limitations of our bodies. 

Seperation, the third stage will part our learned personality from our natural being. We are becoming aware of our true feelings and stepping into a higher self. By air, we are becoming the awareness - of our thoughts, feelings and desires but not identifying with them or becoming attached to them. We detach from our old skin which might feel scary and vulnerable. 

In the fourth stage, Conjuction, with the earth element, the spirit begins to materialise. We take what’s left of ourselves and connect the elements to shape a new self. We’re unified in body and soul. In this phase we experience that conflicts of polarities dissolve - male and female, body and soul, spirit and matter - we experience Harmony. 

The fifth stage, the Fermentation is where we are reborn. The former self is rotting away which can involve strong feelings of depression as we fear losing our identity. We start to see the world in a new bright light. 

In the sixth stage, the Destillation, our natural being is further getting cleaned and concentrated. We start to listen to our soul. 

The last stage of spiritual alchemy is Coagulation. We are becoming whole. Like blood that hardened after a cut, we’re healing from a wound as we feel ourselves to be independent and complete.  The polarities melt together and shape a unified higher self which is linked to the point when gold cools and solidifies.

Just as in the craft of jewelry making , I find myself in the early stages of mastering this art, continuously learning the nuances of its techniques. Similarly, in the realm of spiritual alchemy, I am on a journey of progression, still navigating through each transformative phase. Wherever you are on your journey, rise more times than you fall, and you will never fail.

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