IN3-02 Art of Scent: 1889-2012 Exhibition

  • Photo by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
  • Photo by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
  • Photo by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
  • Photo by Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Submitted by Jieling Xiao, 2025

Location

Museum of Arts and Design, New York, US

Designer

This exhibition is co-created by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Chandler Burr

Year

2012

Visual Credit

Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Description

The Art of Scent: 1889–2012, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and curated by Chandler Burr, was a groundbreaking exhibition at New York’s Museum of Arts and Design. It was the first major museum show to treat fragrance as a standalone art form, focusing solely on olfactory experience without visual distractions. The exhibition aimed to elevate perfume to the status of fine art by removing traditional visual cues like branding, bottles, and advertisements. The gallery featured a minimalist white space with twelve sculpted wall alcoves, each dedicated to a pivotal fragrance from 1889 to 2012. This design encouraged visitors to engage directly with the scents, emphasizing the ephemeral and subjective nature of olfactory art.

Highlights

Each wall alcove, or “dimple,” housed a concealed scent-dispensing system activated by motion sensors. When a visitor leaned in, the system released a precise stream of scented air. The technology included:

  • Pyroelectric infrared motion sensors to detect presence.

  • Arduino microcontrollers to manage the timing and release of scents.

  • Air pumps and scent cartridges to deliver the fragrance.

  • Loudspeakers for subtle audio cues.

Scent characteristics

The exhibition offered a diverse olfactory journey through iconic perfumes. Each scent was presented without branding, focusing solely on the perfumer’s artistry. The controlled environment allowed visitors to experience the fragrances in isolation, highlighting their unique compositions and evoking personal interpretations. Visitors described the experience as intimate and contemplative, with each scent evoking distinct emotions and memories.The absence of visual stimuli allowed for a deeper connection with the fragrances.

Reference / Acknowledgement

Diller Scofidio + Renfro. 2012. IN3-02 Art of Scent: 1889-2012. https://dsrny.com/project/art-of-scent (accessed on 21st May 2025)