Distilling the Landscape involves creating a laboratory with a traditional Portuguese copper alembic still. To research and refine the alchemical process of distilling plant essences, becoming fluent in the medium of aromatics complements and extends my current artistic practice into a more intimate embracing of Country and opens a new area of practice to share with audiences.
I will be walking in the bush near my home to observe the landscape and collect plant matter for distilling. Under guidance from Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Aunty Marilyne Nicholls I will learn how to work with the plants in a sustainable and Culturally respectful way.
I will tap in to alchemical traditions and learn how to make hydrosols from the landscape with endemic plants and invasive species, such as St Johns Wort which is a major weed but has healing properties.The hydrosols (water based essence of plants) will be used in future exhibitions and projects with the possibility of distilling a landscape and bringing its aroma into an exhibition setting by using atomisers, sprays and scents people can dab on their skin or imbibe.
Essences will be posted to Dja Dja WurrungTraditional Owners, artists and audience as a way to aromatically share with them places they are unable to visit due to the pandemic.
Klare Lanson has been commissioned to write about the process of the research and form a creative and critical response as she dips in and out of the laboratory.
Garland Magazine article