You may agree that art is in a sensorial experience. However, when you visit a gallery or a museum you are only allowed to look at the art. They might be playing some background music. That covers a second sense. In some gallery openings you can sip wine and eat something while appreciating the art. Three senses covered. Touching the art is off the question. But why? Those textures are so tempting. You want to touch. Don’t you? Some artists don’t mind people touching the art. Specially sculptures. You are allowed to touch sometimes if you ask nicely. That covers four senses. How about smell? Do you care about the smell of the gallery or museum? Do you care about the smell of art? Smells can trigger memories, images, and even bring back past experiences to the surface.
In Sigmund Freud’s Bread Pudding Case Study, the patient was connected to her childhood trauma through the smell of bread pudding which triggered memories of her suffered abuse by her father. All memories don’t have to be sad. They can trigger happy thoughts too. In fact, smells can trigger all kinds of memories. Not only memories but also emotions and sensations. Marcel Proust knew all about it. In his poetry, Proust connected vivid descriptions of the outside world from his rest bed. He could not move out of his room physically but the aroma of fresh baked bread travelled into the room taking him away all because he remembered that smell from when he was a child.
I confess that I smell my hands when I work with clay. It takes me back to the college days at the studio. Sometimes I sniff my finished sculptures. It is a way for me to confirm they are ready for show. When I enter a gallery I breath in. The smell of the gallery sets the mood before I look at the art. If the smell is not pleasant I turn around and leave. While appreciating a piece I keep my senses alert which serves as a neurological bridge that interconnects neurological receptors for a longer lasting connection.
The Smell of Art
You may agree that art is in a sensorial experience. However, when you visit a gallery or a museum you are only allowed to look at the art. They might be playing some background music. That covers a second sense. In some gallery openings you can sip wine and eat something while appreciating the art. Three senses covered. Touching the art is off the question. But why? Those textures are so tempting. You want to touch. Don’t you? Some artists don’t mind people touching the art. Specially sculptures. You are allowed to touch sometimes if you ask nicely. That covers four senses. How about smell? Do you care about the smell of the gallery or museum? Do you care about the smell of art? Smells can trigger memories, images, and even bring back past experiences to the surface.
I confess that I smell my hands when I work with clay. It takes me back to the college days at the studio. Sometimes I sniff my finished sculptures. It is a way for me to confirm they are ready for show. When I enter a gallery I breath in. The smell of the gallery sets the mood before I look at the art. If the smell is not pleasant I turn around and leave. While appreciating a piece I keep my senses alert which serves as a neurological bridge that interconnects neurological receptors for a longer lasting connection.