Lecture: ‘The alchemy of glass as a metaphor for Masonic work.’

The work we do in the lodge – striving to become better people – can also be seen as a form of alchemy. All manner of elements are brought together in the ‘vessel’ of the workshop, shaken, heated and stirred, and then – provided you have enough patience – something of the pure essence emerges. we all carry this potential within us, but it often remains hidden beneath the dust of everyday life. A metaphor for this is the art of glassblowing, which works with the elements of fire, earth, water and air to conjure up the transparent glass as a fifth element and shape it into glasses, bowls or goblets.

One of our brothers, David Beliën, is a glassblower by trade. Not just any trade: he lives and breathes glass. Transparency plays the leading role in his work. David’s pieces are often understated and serene. Drawing on ancient alchemical knowledge, he knows how to work the glass in such a way that one wonders whether it might actually be a living thing. But he does not wish to be merely a glass artist; he is also a craftsman. The craft of glassblowing requires a swift and extremely precise technique. You mustn’t work too hastily, but neither too slowly. The glass is placed in a furnace at around 1150 degrees Celsius. There must be a balance between purposeful action and artistic integrity.

David’s studio is located in Zutphen. His studio provides a space for a new generation of glassmakers and artists by forging close partnerships with art and design academies and individual designers. In addition, David is keen to create a place to train young people and is, as such, the only accredited training organisation in the Netherlands.

As part of the ‘Zutphen Glas Expo’, taking place in early November at the Walburgiskerk, David Beliën will give a demonstration of his work. Brother David Kromhout will then expand on this by drawing parallels with alchemy. As a born teacher (he works as a lecturer in classical languages), David has a knack for making a complex subject particularly accessible. His fascination with alchemy stems primarily from the inspiring insights offered by a combination of classical tradition and Western esotericism.