Scent exhibit opens at the Museum of Art and Design

Art, as presented in a museum, tends to cater to the senses of sight, touch or hearing.  But for its latest exhibition, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York chose smell.  The Art of Scent: 1889-2012 focuses on a dozen works spanning that period of time, highlighting legendary fragrances such as Chanel No. 5, Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey and Maison Martin Margiela Untitled.  The exhibit itself comprised a minimalist space featuring wall indentations accompanied by descriptions – designed by architectural firm Diller, Scofidio + Renfro – and interactive stations for attendees to experience a prolonged, up-close-and-personal whiff of the scents on display.

The Art of Scent: 1889-2012 at the Museum of Arts and Design continues through Feb. 24, 2013, and will feature workshops and lectures on the subject of olfactory art throughout.  For more information, go to madmuseum.org.

Photo Gallery: The Art of Scent: 1889-2012
all photos by Kwai Chan / Meniscus Magazine