In 2015, a California based artist named Eden Gorgos created a fascinating collection of soaps whose exhibition on Instagram took the entire internet by storm. Termed a morbid collection, it was a line of handmade skull shaped soaps which she named the “art of dying”. The soap collection was described by her as “symbolic of the brevity of life”
The soaps were intended to remind people that no one can escape the darkness of death but inspite of that, they were extremely pleasant as people who purchased them, revealed. The soaps after all are scented.
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The skull shaped soaps were infused with citric essence, earthy and sensual flower fragrances. They were made with coconut oil and totally natural products.
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Eden Gorgos showcased her art of dying soap collection on Kickstarter where she wrote “I am an artist with a passion for the arcane, absurd, and morbid. Typically I sculpt, mold, and then cast my pieces in resin.”
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Eden reveals that she found how her passion for sculpting suited soap making. The soaps have been tried and tested and found to have no problems for use. She also requested people to purchases her products in order to motivate her to create more.
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The coconut oil soaps are colored with natural clay, herbs or flowers and made so well that they can moisturize and also produce lather.
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Along with her collection, you can also get astral goat soaps. Gorgos loves funeral art reflecting the vanitas style of the Renaissance and Memento Mori. Memento Mori is the Medieval Latin Christian theory of reflecting on the subject of mortality in order to consider the vanity of material life and the pursuit of earthly goods.
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As Gorgos says “Both motifs are representative of impermanence and, philosophically, are a call to reflect not just on mortality but where we place value (earthly pleasures, amounting possessions, and ego)” Gorgos wanted to capture the classic art style along with the message behind it. Soaping reflected the essence of the art precisely as nothing lasts forever.
Gorgos was introduced to the process of soaping by a friend and was totally taken up with the alchemy of the process. She took on the skull-shaped soaps project as an artistic challenge for herself.
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Gorgos soap collection of skulls is priced at a minimum pledge on Kickstarter for $15 and for $30 you will also get an astral goat soap as well. In 2015, people had pledged $14,033 on Kick starter but now people have once again pledged an amount of $22,069 to rekindle the project.
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Eden Gorgos is still making soaps of different shapes and sizes which she posts on her Instagram profile. Take a look at s0ome of them like these occult Christmas soap décor posted on November 2017.
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You can view Eden’s gallery on her website Wyrdwerks.com where she showcases her products. On her website she writes that “As a sculptor turned soap and candle maker, I have a passion for working with my hands. I gather inspiration from nature, folklore, horror, religious iconography, and add my own personal flair. I like to tell stories with what shapes my hands make, sometimes dark but always with a sense of humor. “
All of Eden’s products like skull shaped soaps are claimed to be natural, original and made from scratch from silicone moulds that she sculpts. Her process is an eco-friendly one using plant, oils and earthy materials.
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She describes this as beautiful and terrifying and representative of the afterlife. These sculptures in early centuries were in huge demand during the protestant reformation. Eden’s soap and candle wax sculptures are in tribute to them.
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The skull soap reflecting the Memento Mori theme is now being sold for $2.50 and weighs 1,5 oz. they are available in various scents like Lavender, crimson, clove, lime, lemon ginger and cedar wood to name a few.
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The Krampus soy candle is based upon the mythical Krampus figure of the Alpine regions of Europe. The Krampus was said to accompany St Nicholas and dispensed punishment to children who were bad. The Krampus was a satyr goat-like figure with a long rolling tongue.
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