Art in Soap: Is it too beautiful to use?

Here at The Soap Distillery, we know that we are not the only soap making business out there, and we respect and admire other amazing soapers that participate in the craft. Lately, a few soapy friends (including ourselves) have been hearing from potential customers that their soaps were too beautiful to use. While we put a lot of time and effort into making an aesthetically pleasing bar of soap to present to you all, that's just one part of it. We also take time into researching and testing out the use of different oils and scents to create a work of art that also feels great and serves its purpose. Please, don't shy away from the beauty that can be a bar of soap. We make them so you can buy them! This is a post that I wrote in one of my groups that really displays my thoughts. I encourage other soapers to share this if they wish, and if you are one of their customers or potential customers, I implore to you to please understand: These pieces of art are not meant to hang on a wall or sit on a shelf somewhere. Your favorite soapers create unique works of art, and each one is completely different than the last. Your experience while you use these soaps is a part of what we want to bring to you so don't be afraid to integrate yourselves with the work! Here's the post:



"It seems that more and more soapers are hearing the words "your soap is too beautiful to use" these days. This reminds me of one of my favorite art installations, and I thought it would be good for me to share my thoughts about it with you all. This is going to be a long post!

There's a piece in the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago by the late Felix Gonzalez Torrez called "Placebo". I won't get into the fine details of the piece, but essentially it's a pile of candy (thousands of pieces) that sits in the corner of one of the rooms. The candies are wrapped in metallic plastic, and it's very beautiful under the gallery lights. The purpose is that gallery visitors are supposed to take pieces of candy so that the sculpture gets smaller and smaller. The candy is replenished every so often. We become apart of the artwork itself, and contribute to it's memory. Many people don't want to take candy because, well, it's art. Why should we take it? Art is meant to be viewed and not used, right? But this is not what the artist has intended.

Your soaps, beautiful in their simplicity, beautiful in their intricate design, and beautiful in the olfactory experience that they give us, are art in themselves. The user, our customers, become apart of the art that we make for them. Whenever you are feeling down about the beauty that you create, just remember that you too have your gallery spectators that feel bad about taking a piece of candy. However, for every one of them, you have bunches of customers who become apart of the experience that is your artwork, and they come back for more when it's time to replenish the piece. Keep up the amazing work everyone, and I can't wait to see what you all create in the new year!"

Now go, masses! Go support your favorite soaper! We certainly don't make soap just to be looked at. The beauty is meant to draw you in, and quality in product and service will keep you coming back for more. Have a great year friends!