For a century, the sense of smell has repeatedly infiltrated art, from theAir de Paris captured by Marcel Duchamp in 1919 until Carrot hair wall from Michel Blazy in 2000, through the Lipstick Urinals by Rachel Lachowicz in 1992. The last decade has seen a flourishing of multidisciplinary collaborations around olfaction on the artistic scene. An opportunity for Acumen to highlight some of these most recent initiatives.
Last January, Diptyque unveiled the story of Do son, one of his iconic creations (2005), in the form of an animated short film produced by the Werlen Meyer studio and set to music by James Blake. Exploring a contemporary and dynamic dimension of drawing, the film revives the childhood memories – spent by the sea in the coastal town of Do Son – of Yves Coueslant, one of the three founders of Diptyque.
The Guerlain house has just enriched its collection Art and Matter of a new work, Jasmine BonheurA jasmine bathed in light, its hues evoking the vibrant nuances of Henri Matisse's work. From this creative resonance was born a partnership with the design house Maison Matisse, resulting in a limited edition bottle of only 1,000 pieces worldwide. For this special occasion, the cap and case are adorned with a colorful motif exclusive to Guerlain, highlighting the painter's most iconic shapes and colors.
After leather goods, jewelry, and fashion, Yayoi Kusama has customized three iconic fragrances from the house of Louis Vuitton. The bottles ofDreamcatcher, Spell on You and The Immensity Adorned with polka-dotted petals, colorful butterflies, and playful pumpkins, the perfumes express the Japanese artist's passion for flowers. Offered in limited editions, they are sold starting at €320 as collector's items.
While these artistic partnerships boost sales by attracting a clientele receptive to creative expression, the olfactory dimension is also making its way into the cultural sphere. A growing number of exhibitions, installations, and alternative projects are inviting the sense of smell to become central to the experience. Take, for example, the latest exhibition at the Espace Écureuil Foundation in Toulouse, on display until March 19th, which offers a journey through art history via the lens of scent.
France
Sophie Normand