Event Report: Indigo Perfumery and Hedge Gallery Palettes of The Senses Art+Scent Demystifed + Visual and Olfactive Draw

 Palettes of The Senses Art+Scent Demystifed (Photo Indigo Perfumery©)

What does a skull smell like? Does Apoteker Tepe After the Flood really smell like Earth? Have you ever tasted Frankincense cookies or Lavender Sea Salt caramels?

(Photo Indigo Perfumery©)

These are just some of the questions that were answered the first few evenings of Palettes for the Senses: Art + Scent Demystified, a multi-sensory collaboration between Indigo Perfumery and HEDGE Gallery, which opened on Friday, February 17, 2017 to a packed house.

(Photo Indigo Perfumery©)

Last May, 2016, Indigo’s owner, Ann Bouterse, approached Hilary Gent at HEDGE to propose an unconventional method of experiencing an art exhibition. Instead of a quick visual pass-by, why not add in the element of smell and offer the gift of discovery to each viewer? Eleven HEDGE-represented artists contributed works ranging from oils to encaustic to textiles. After multiple studio visits to the artists’ studios, Bouterse interpreted each piece with a fragrance carried at Indigo. Selecting each required a period of quiet contemplation and investigation of potential fragrances. According to Ann, in the end, the feelings that were evoked by both the works and the scents were most important in each pairing.

An olfactory station containing a glass cloche covering the glass ball perfume container, as well as scented perfume cards enclosed in cellophane, accompanied each artwork. Combining the visual and olfactory elements resulted in guests experiencing appreciation, surprise, inspiration and occasionally bewilderment. Their encounter with each piece was usually with careful consideration, smelling the cloche or scent cards in hand as they gazed at the piece. The Preview Party also added taste to the multi-sensory mix. Along with delectables such as Bergamot Brownies and Frankincense Shortbread Cookies, champagne infused with Jasmine, Rose Hip, Orange Blossom and Juniper Berry floral elixirs from The Floral Elixir Company were served.

Palettes for the Senses is open until March 4th at HEDGE Gallery. Local Cleveland residents are invited to experience this intimate and immersive adventure that highlights scent as an avenue of engaging the viewer on a visceral level.

For those unable to make the show, here is a quick synopsis of the art works in Palettes for the Senses.

Dott von Schneider: Earth 2017

Dott von Schneider: Earth 2017 Medium: Soil, Primer, Dye on Birch Panel, 23” x 34”

Perfume pairing: After the Flood by Apoteker Tepe -Holladay Saltz

“The scent of the many textures of earth itself- soil, rocks, gooey wetness- are captured in After the Flood. Add in mushroom, patchouli and green cardamom and the wet soil accord comes alive before you”.

Nikki Woods:Sugar Shack 2016

Nikki Woods:Sugar Shack 2016 Medium: Oil on Canvas  25.5” x 23.5”

Perfume pairing: Sulmona by Coquillete Paris-Elise Juarros and Rosa Vaia

“Standing in the kitchen, licking your fingers and surrounded by sweet smells is where both Sugar Shack and Sulmona immediately take you to”.

Rebecca Cross Shield (Pink Spikes) 2017

Rebecca Cross: Shield (pink spikes) 2017, Medium: Silk, Dye  20” x 15”

Perfume pairing: Dupont Circle by Monsillage-Isabelle Michaud

“While seemingly delicate, Shield (pink spikes)’s inherent strength is reflected in the beauty of the rose, the main floral note in Dupont Circle. The cedar, patchouli and oakmoss in its base offer strength and grounding”.

Brian Mouhlas, Trace 2016

Brian Mouhlas, Trace 2016, Medium: Oil on canvas  30.25” x 30”

Perfume pairing: Fathom V by BeauFort London-Leo Crabtree

“Surrounded by a haze of green textures and rippling waters, Fathom V reflects light and shade, bright herbals and dark mosses and spices”.

Matthew Gallagher, Growth; Bos Taurus 2017 

Matthew Gallagher, Growth; Bos Taurus 2017, Medium: Encaustic on Bone 

Perfume pairing: Anabasis by Apoteker Tepe-Hollady Saltz

“Encountering a skull calls to mind the scent of both life and death. Earthy, musty, adventurous, mysterious, Anabasis walks you closely up to its smooth, yet irregular, texture”.

Jessica Pinsky, Equal I, 2017

Jessica Pinsky, Equal I, 2017, Medium: Partly Handspun Weft And Cotton Warp, 60” x 60”

Perfume pairing: Au Coeur Du Désert by Tauer Perfumes-Andy Tauer

“Au Coeur Du Désert weaves spices such as Coriander and Cumin alongside long-lasting woods and greens, much like Equal I organizes its fibers into a chorus of deep”

Show on view through March 4, 2017.

HEDGE Gallery

1300 West 78th Street Suite 200 

Cleveland, OH 44102 hedgeartgallery.com

–Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

Thanks to Ann from Indigo Pefumery we have a draw for a registered reader in the USA of a Palette of the Senses Sample Set. The set includes After the Flood by Apoteker Tepe,  Sulmona by Coquillete Paris,  Dupont Circle by Monsillage,  Fathom V by BeauFort London,  Anabasis by Apoteker Tepe and Au Coeur Du Désert by Tauer Perfumes.To be eligible please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about this Gallery Event, the Art and Scent Pairings and which work of art speaks to you. Draw closes 3/1/2017

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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15 comments

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    I was very drawn to Trace 2016; the vibrant jewel tones on the green textured background really ‘grabbed’ me! I’d love to be able to experience a scent and art pairings exhibition…any experience that encompasses more than one sense is bound to be more exciting than simply observing something.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Love this idea and the concept of matching an existing scent with an existing work of art that weren’t explicitly created to relate to one another. The abstract soil/dirt/etc of Earth 2017 was wonderful! Love the aesthetics of dry/cracked/cakey soil. That encaustic skull is also quite epic. I love any activity that activates multiple sense, and the touch of having treats to taste that include some interesting aromatics seems like a wonderful addition! Thanks for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • stephanie says:

    Rebecca Cross Shield (Pink Spikes) 2017 is the piece I’m immediately drawn to here, although I’ve never had the pleasure of smelling the perfume it’s paired with. I’m immediately captivated by the juxtaposed texture and colors, particularly.

    The idea of pairing scents with visual art like this is deeply interesting to me, there are so many potential interesting combinations. It also seems like a great way to get the audience more involved in the viewing process.

    Also, I’ve never tasted frankincense cookies but now I desperately want to do so!

  • Rustee46 says:

    I love the concept of visualizing a scent, bringing the senses together for a richer, fuller experience. My first degree was in textiles, so I appreciate the work of Jessica Pinsky–it evokes the colors of a desert sunset to me. I live in the US.

  • zamar says:

    It is a very exciting idea. Bridging your imagination/visual sense to your olfactory system. I really enjoyed it. I am really happy that you have Au Coeur Du Desert is in the draw list. Live in the US.

  • Ellen M says:

    I like the concept of the pairings. After all, we smell fragrances in a context all the time. I like the Pink Spikes, but am not familiar with the scent. Thanks for the draw. I live in the USA

  • Dusk says:

    I love this concept! A multisensory exhibition… I think this would be such an immersive experience. Of these, I am particularly drawn to Shield (Pink Spikes) because of the contrast between hard and soft textures. I wonder if the scent would have a similar contrast? I am in the US.

  • Hikmat Sher Afridi says:

    Wish I could have a visit to such exhibition & experience the new concept/idea. I would love to taste Frankincense cookies or Lavender Sea Salt caramels if available. The last two pairings in the topic are captivating.
    Thanks to Ann from Indigo Perfumery for the generosity and Cafleurebon for the opportunity to participate in the draw by letting my relative address in NY, US.

  • doveskylark says:

    I like art exhibitions that play to all the senses. I appreciate the combinations here and it was a delight to see the works. I was especially intrigued by Dott von Shneider’s Earth 2017 and the fragrance After the Flood. I live in the USA.

  • hofken says:

    This unconventional multi-sensory collaboration between Indigo Perfumery and HEDGE Gallery sounds so fun. I’ve not experienced any of the fragrances so I don’t know about the Art and Scent Pairings, but Rebecca Cross Shield’s Pink Spikes work of art speaks to me – delicate but strong.

  • ntabassum92 says:

    So cool to have a multi-sensory exhibit, as art can be found through our noses, ears, eyes, and touch. Very cool to mix at least a couple of those sense together. The pairings are so interesting, as there are also so many types of art showcased in the Gallery. The piece of art that most speaks to me is Trace 2016 – I have no idea what it is, but those colors! beautiful.

  • Sudi says:

    This show looks like a sensory delight for all those present.
    I really liked how the skull was represented, it’s life and death, present and past.
    It can represent a scent that is dark like the despair and death while still having the strength, light and wisdom that comes with time and knowledge.

    Au Coeur Du Désert is my favorite perfume till date, but I only had a tiny sample.
    In USA.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Wonderful Show which combines so many senses! My favourite is Andy Tauer. I am following his art now for 10 years and I am still excited because he can still surprise me.

    I live in the EU, thanks for the draw, I choose Andy Tauer!!

  • allaces says:

    I love how tangible all the artwork of the Palette of the Senses are. As an exhibit with that name should be:) And adding smell to art installations is brilliant.
    I really like Earth 2017. Besides all the earthy elements Just the colors of the earthy textures makes me think of a killer gourmand fragrance.
    I hope they would do this again and again. Would love to attend. Thanks for the opportunity:) I live in the USA