In an attempt to pay tribute to what is described as the most renounceable sense, Deanna Ooley has created an entire room full of beautiful scents. Her unusual exhibit entitled, Sacred Scents, is incredibly unique in that it aims to create an intimate, engaging experience for viewers all through the power of smell.
Inspiration from Japanese Buddhist traveling shrines called Zushis along with the influence of the Cradle to Cradle design philosophy prompted Ooley to create these captivating scent capsules. Ooley describes the Scent Shrines by saying that, “A minimalistic aesthetic is employed so as not to overwhelm and subjugate the silent partner, that is scent, within the work. Although the scale of the physical objects is intimate, they ultimately activate a larger space due to the reach of the artwork’s fragrance.”
Scents like blueberry, jasmine, sage and lavender permeate the gallery air and truly do fulfill the artist’s intentions of activating an emotional response. “Although researchers have found that smell is closely related to memory, mood, and spatial awareness, the full extent of its function and importance is not fully understood” says Ooley. Her hope is that through the simplistic presentation and power of smell, those who come nose to nose with her exhibit will be affected in a way that is different than conventional art.
Deanna Ooley’s Sacred Scents exhibit will be on display in the SEAD Gallery until Saturday, May 6. We encourage you all to come in and smell this fascinating exhibit for yourself.
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