Architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro design the ’Art of Scent’ show at MAD, NY
While architects are generally in the visual business, Diller Scofidio + Renfro’s design for a new show at the Museum of Arts & Design privileges a less tangible sense — smell.
'The Art of Scent 1889 – 2012' is an exhibition dedicated to perfumes that represent an aesthetic or innovatory leap forward for the art form — ranging from the Victorian-era 'Jicky' (Aimé Guerlain) to the smoky, metallic and compelling 'Untitled' by contemporary perfumer Daniela Andrier.
'It was an exercise in self-restraint,' says principal Elizabeth Diller, who worked on the project with the curator of MAD’s new Centre for Olfactory Art, the former New York Times scent critic, Chandler Burr. 'How to make nothing, but make it beautiful.'
DS+R has a history of experimental projects; Diller previously worked on the Blur Building — a temporary pavilion made of fog designed for the 2002 Swiss Expo. The other challenge, says DS+R project leader Ilana Altman, lay in exhibiting intangible art in a museum context.
'We were interested in the convention of a white wall. The technical challenge was to figure out how to make it atmospheric, and how the surface could give a holistic display but still appear to be empty.'
Twelve identical dimples set seamlessly into the walls have space for one visitor’s head, which triggers the release of a dry version of each perfume, dispensed by hidden, high-spec technology so far only found at trade shows.
In the adjacent 'salon' a glass table holds the same perfumes in liquid form, into which visitors dip blotters and then add their 'smelling notes' to the online database projected onto a nearby wall to build up a vocabulary of scent criticism.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
'Tresor', the 13th scent, has been broken down into its five constituent stages to reveal its design process, each version delivered automatically on a card with a peel and sniff panel through slots in the wall similar to a car park ticket machine.
Each perfume is exhibited without packaging, and is attributed to the perfumer (rather than the brand) through small pieces of projected text that fades on and off. 'The visual sense is dialled down,' says Diller. 'We considered audio, but decided it would just be a distraction.'
The challenge for architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro lay in exhibiting intangible art in a museum context. Each perfume is exhibited without packaging, and is attributed to the perfumer (rather than the brand).
Twelve identical dimples set seamlessly into the walls offer space for one visitor's head, which triggers the release of a dry version of each perfume, dispensed by hidden, high-spec technology so far only found at trade shows.
ADDRESS
2 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019
-
Audemars Piguet and Kaws have created the Royal Oak Concept watch we didn't know we needed
The Audemars Piguet x Kaws Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon 'Companion' is slick wrist-worn art
By Thor Svaboe Published
-
A friendly rivalry coloured by kinship: Wendy Maruyama and Tom Loeser on their two-artist show
'I wanted to make furniture, just not traditional furniture, but weird furniture,' says Wendy Maruyama on ‘Colorama’, a two-artist show presented at design gallery Superhouse (until 11 January 2025)
By Gregory Han Published
-
Tranquil and secluded, Lemaire’s new Tokyo flagship exudes a sense of home
In Tokyo’s Ebisu neighbourhood, Lemaire’s tranquil new store sees the French brand take over a former 1960s home. Co-artistic directors Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran tell Wallpaper* more
By Joanna Kawecki Published
-
Ayond fragrances bottle the healing power of the desert
Ayond, the Santa Fe brand known for its rejuvenating botanical skincare, has translated the same desert ingredients into three fragrances that combat mental stress and fatigue
By Mary Cleary Published
-
Exploring non-binary beauty at Dover Street Parfums Market in Paris
By Fiona Mahon Last updated
-
Leading perfumers create fragrances inspired by the Louvre’s great works of art
Officine Universelle Buly plumbed the museum's historical collection, inspiring eight new fragrances that make for picture-perfect keepsakes
By Emma Moore Last updated
-
Meet on Instagram: rules of modern-day collaboration according to Earl of East London
By Elly Parsons Last updated
-
Commes des Garçons teases out the softer side of concrete with its latest fragrance
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
Acqua di Parma gives a trio of opera inspired scents a triumphant voice
By Christopher Stocks Last updated
-
Twisted logic: Thomas Heatherwick’s perfume bottles for Christian Louboutin turn it on
Thomas Heatherwick conjures an ambitious set of architectural glass vessels for Christian Louboutin’s debut fragrance line
By Ali Morris Last updated
-
Palladian perfumery: Bottega Veneta debuts new fragrance collection
By Emma Moore Last updated