Current research: Seminar with Laurence Totelin (Cardiff University): Recreating ancient cosmetics: joys, pitfalls and engagement opportunities
Over the last ten years and more, I have experimented with recreating ancient cosmetics, the recipes of which are transmitted in medical texts, such as those written by Galen (second century CE), Aetius of Amida (sixth century CE), Paul of Aegina (seventh century CE), and the enigmatic Metrodora (perhaps first or second century CE). These recreations have given me often-unexpected insights into what cosmetics would have looked, smelt, and felt like in antiquity. These recreations have also given me opportunities to engage with varied audiences in activities that encouraged them to think about their identities, their relationship to their bodies, and their use of cosmetics. In this presentation, I reflect on my practice in recreating cosmetics, focusing on the joy and community-building aspects, but not neglecting some inherent pitfalls. As this is a presentation in a virtual space, to foster an atmosphere like that of in-person workshops, I encourage you to bring some of your preferred cosmetics and/or to engage in a craft activity such as knitting or drawing.
Laurence Totelin is professor of Ancient History at Cardiff University. Her current research focuses on the construction of identities through the use of cosmetics in the ancient Mediterranean world, as well as on the ways in which modern cosmetic advertising draw on the ancient world(s). She is passionate about engagement with diverse audiences and encourages you to visit the Makeup Museum’s virtual exhibition ‘I’m Your Venus’, which she co-commissioned (https://www.exhibitions-makeupmuseum.org/venus)
