The Alchemist’s Garden is a visual arts installation to be realized at the Philosophical Research Society (PRS) in Los Angeles, that will take the form of a seven-pointed star garden—a living sculptural installation in which each ray corresponds to one of the seven classical planets of alchemical tradition. Each planetary point will be planted with astrologically corresponding botanical species, creating a site-specific artwork that evolves over time through seasonal growth, decay, and regeneration. The Alchemist’s Garden will serve as both an installation and a generative platform through which participating artists will develop new experimental work at the intersection of visual art, ecology, and esoteric research.
The Alchemist’s Garden: A Planetary Installation at the Philosophical Research Society
Golden Dome School, Emperor Golden Dome Artist Residency, 2015. Photo by Eliza Swann.
Guadalupe Maravilla performing at Golden Dome’s “Magician Artist Residency,” 2015. Photo by Eliza Swann.
Breadwoman performing at Golden Dome’s “Rainbow Transmissions” as part of the Current: LA Triennial, 2019. Photo by Eliza Swann.
Roze Zepeda performance, Golden Dome “Justice Artist Residency,” 2018. Photo by Eliza Swann.
1964
Philip Johnson commissioned Warhol to make a large-scale work for the exterior for his pavilion for the New York World’s Fair, along with other artists. Warhol’s provocative response, a multiple portrait of ‘Most Wanted Men’ was installed a few days before the opening but was deemed too inflammatory and contrary to the upbeat image of the World’s Fair and the work was taken down.