Cut Me Up Issue 7: Solve et Coagula, curated by Enrique “Kike” Congrains, is a selection of 18 artworks that explore alchemy, magick, ouroboric mythos, iconoclasm and the occult. 

Solve et coagula is a principle of alchemy meaning "dissolve and coagulate". According to this principle, a substance must be broken down before it can be built up into something new. Solve refers to this breaking down of elements and coagula refers to their coming together. 

This transmutation process contains both literal and metaphorical meaning: it could be analogous to the destruction of one’s ego before the realization of the true self, or the distillation of a substance down to its prime elements to make alchemical preparations. In its purest form, collage is alchemy: a power that transforms by destroying and merging components from multiple sources into a new creation. 

Issue 7 explores the relationship between solve et coagula and themes of magick, ouroboric mythos,iconoclasm and the supernatural. Some works delve deep into the occult, while others are as cryptic as alchemy itself. Many works use symbols and signs associated with the occult as well as circles as a way to reflect on the cyclic nature of life. In alchemy, only the right materials can be used to achieve transmutation, just as these selected artworks, now brought together, bring to life this issue of Cut Me Up.

Curatorial prompts for Issue 7 artists:

• Submissions are encouraged to explore alchemy, magick, ouroboric mythos, iconoclasm and the occult.

• The use of color is very welcome.

• Use symbols and signs that you associate with alchemy and the occult.

• Include circles or circular shapes to reflect the cyclic nature of life.

• Eligible submissions must incorporate some portion or portions of Cut Me Up: Issue 6

Enrique “Kike” Congrains’ original curatorial call for Issue 7 can be found here.

Issue 7 Cover Art:
John Rigney

Issue 7 Artists:
Patty Armstrong
Lu Beard
Susana Belen
Michelle Bowers
Celia Crane
Vicki Davenport
Ben DiNino
Beth Guipe Hall
Alejandra Koreck
Iain Machell
Anthony Naimo
Michael Pajón
Rhondra Ratray
Billy Renkl
John Rigney
Laurent Seljan
Lisa Sheets
Vanessa Vargas

All of the 58 response artworks made by 54 artists for Cut Me Up Issue 7: Solve et Coagula can be found here.