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a celebration of beauty, chemistry
and personal history

 
  
 
 
oxytocin

 

giovanna

Giovanna

Giovanna is a psychiatrist, the mother of two daughters and a heavy smoker. In the summer she spends entire days in the hot Sicilian sun, walking miles along the beach to and from the Turkish Steps. She is persistent, stubborn and defensive of her choice to stay in Sicily close to family. Judges those that have left for more opportunity elsewhere. She is quick-tongued, energetic and fiery.

ivoryIvory is primarily calcium carbonate. The word ivory, originally used to refer only to elephant tusks, is now used to refer to the bulk of the teeth and tusks of animals such as the elephant, hippopotamus, walrus, mammoth and narwhal. Carved ivory has been found in tombs dating back to Paleolithic times. The ivory trade has had a recent comeback (China was given permission to be a licensed buyer in the summer of 2008) and the elephant population struggles to survive - more than 20,000 are illegally killed every year in Africa. Prized for its balance of malleability and endurance, Ivory represents the contradictions of beauty and violence, peace and war, strength and tenderness.

Testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females. In both men and women, testosterone plays a key role in health and well-being as well as in sexual functioning. It enhances libido, increases energy, increases production of red blood cells and protects against osteoporosis. Its presence leads to motivation, assertiveness, a sense of power, feelings of well-being and an enhanced sex drive. An adequate level of testosterone enables us to take risks and live our lives with zest. Recent studies have shown that women need testosterone to maintain an interest and joy in sex as well as a sense of satisfaction with their lives.