The Museum of Arts and Design will debut its first fragrance exhibit in November of 2012. “The Art of Scent, 1889-2012 will lead visitors through an olfactory experience that showcases the artistry inherent to creating a fragrance. Featuring twelve perfumes that have significantly impacted the medium, the exhibition will explore major developments in the style and design of fragrance and provide an unprecedented behind-the-scenes glimpse into the labor-intensive process of crafting a work of olfactory art.”
“Highlights from the exhibition, organized by MAD’s Curator of Olfactory Art Chandler Burr, include: Jicky by Aimé Guerlain, Chanel N˚ 5 by Ernest Beaux, Aromatics Elixir by Bernard Chant, Angel by Olivier Cresp, Pleasures by Annie Buzantian and Alberto Morillas, and Untitled by Daniela Andrier, among others… Other confirmed works of olfactory art featured in the exhibition include: Drakkar Noir (1982), by Pierre Wargnye; L’Eau d’Issey (1992), by Jacques Cavallier; cK One (1994), by Alberto Morillas and Harry Frémont; and Prada (2003), by Carlos Benaim and Clément Gavarry.”
As the press release further explains, “The Art of Scent, 1889-2012, will be accompanied by a catalogue in a special coffret designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The catalogue will include an essay by Chandler Burr that discusses the artists and art historical contexts of a selection of works of olfactory art, juxtaposing them with creations in other media, from painting to architecture, and artists, from Domenico Ghirlandaio to Mies van der Rohe, Gabriel Fauré, and Pink. Burr will examine the works’ different structures and designs to illustrate how perfume has evolved from 1889. The box will also include samples of works featured in the exhibition, each contained in an identical 5ml lab bottle, free of logos and commercial packaging.”
Via press release
