Event Report: Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair 2018+ Conceptual Perfume Draw

 Craft and Folk Art Museum

When I walked into the lobby of the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles, California there was no doubt that I was at the 2nd Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair. The Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair ran from 2nd thru 4th Nov, 2018. In addition to the eager chatter of perfumistas, and exhibitors, a cacophony of perfumed notes permeated the air.

Institute of Art and Olfaction founder Saskia Wilson Brown with Mrcologne76

According to Saskia Wilson-Brown, founder of Institute for Art and Olfaction, the main goal of the Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair was "to introduce new audiences to the world of highly conceptual scents". All exhibitors had to apply to present at the fair, and approval was granted by the Institute of Art and Olfaction. The main criterion was "if the exhibitors felt like a good fit".

 DSH Perfumes Essenza dell'Ibisco of and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz  of DSH Perfumes and Mrcologne76 (collage MC)

Three days of sniffing at the Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair kicked off with an opening night preview party and meet and greet with the perfumers. I mingled with many of the perfumers, getting initial impressions of their fragrances and brand concept. There were many memorable perfumes at the event. I purchased Essenza dell'Ibisco from the Heirloom Elixirs Collection (which was inspired by our Editor in Chief  Michelyn’s idea to bring back DSH Perfumes from the past for a limited time  6x a year), L'Immortel of Maison Anonyme and Quasi una absurdia from Chris Rusak Perfumes. I left with many samples as well.

 Mrcologne76 and Daniel Krasofski of LABdk

I spent the second day of the Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair chatting with over two dozen exhibitors. They were all keen to share their creativity and novel concepts. Daniel Krasofski of LABdk explained how he explores scent as an artistic medium for emotional triggers, psychological recall, and historical connections.

 Artist Carla Bengtson of Beyond Human (in white shirt)

Artist Carla Bengtson of Beyond Human collaborates with scientists to develop fragrances by, for, and with nonhuman animals.

 Mrcologne76 and Amber Jobin of Aether Arts Perfume

Amber Jobin’s of Aether Arts Perfume exhibit included an artificial intelligence fragrance series inspired by the Burning Man celebration. This year's theme was "I Robot" and it was fascinating to try fragrances such as Machine Intelligence, Synthetic Sex, and Android especially since, well I am an android guy.

Tigerlily Perfumery table with various artisan and niche perfumes

Tigerlily Perfumery, the San Francisco brick-and-mortar boutique and online shop dedicated entirely to artisan and niche perfumes, represented artisan perfumers and small indie houses who were unable to attend. Many at the Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair appreciated being be able to purchase perfumes from artists who could not attend.

 Keynote conversation with Saskia Wilson-Brown and Mandy Aftel

The second day's main event was the keynote Conversation: Mandy Aftel of Aftelier Perfumes with Saskia Wilson-Brown. An Icon in the world of fragrance,  Mandy Aftel is acknowledged as the Queen of natural perfumery and meeting her was one of my most memorable highlights of the Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair.

Mrcologne76 and Mandy Aftel

Ms. Aftel is an author of nine books, including four books on natural perfume and a cookbook featuring essential oils. She shared insights into her philosophy on perfumery, her creative process, and enlightened us about the development of her perfume museum. Her address was followed by a series of questions from a captive audience.

Mrcologne76 next to giant perfume organ at The Perfumers Studio

The Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair closed with a perfumers’ party at The Perfumer’s Studio in Los Angeles California. I gladly accepted the invitation and was able to sit down to a nice meal and converse on a more intimate level with those in attendance. The Perfumer's Studio is a new resource for creative perfumers. In addition to supplying the tools, expertise, and materials needed by both professional and hobbyist perfumers, the studio offers classes and workshops aimed at developing the perfumer’s art. They also feature changing gallery exhibitions designed to raise awareness and appreciation of perfumery. I could not resist a photo next to their giant fragrance organ. On the last day a hands-on Introduction to Perfume Workshop taught participants the fundamentals of perfumery. Students created their own fragrance and left with a sample.

 Perfume Workshop

I left the Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair with many new acquaintances, three new perfumes, and many fragrant memories. I am most definitely looking forward to the next Art and Olfaction Biennial Scent Fair in  2020.

–Glenn Davis @mrcologne76, Contributor

Editor’s Note:  CaFleureBon has been a proud media partner with Art and Olfaction since 2015-Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks  to Aftelier Perfumes, DSH Perfumes and Aether Arts Perfumes we have a draw for one registered reader anywhere in the world. You must register or your comment will not count.

Thanks to Mandy Aftel we have a double-size sample of Curious perfume and a double-size sample of it as an EDP. 

With gratitude to Dawn Spencer Hurwitz of DSH Perfumes for a sample vial of Essenza dell’Ibisco Extrait which is only available through November 18, 2018

 Thank you Amber Jobin of Aether Arts for a sample set of Burner 9a,b and c Machine Intelligence, Synthetic Sex, and Android

To be eligible please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Glenn's aka @mrcologne76 report, if you are familiar with the  Institute of Art and Olfaction and where you live. Which perfume do you want to try after reading this report. Draw closes 11/17/2018

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon @mrcologne76 @aftelierperfume @artandolfaction @dshperfumes @aetherartsperfume

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

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27 comments

  • audesko1 says:

    Wonderful article and photos. I loved seeing and reading all about the Institute of Art and Olfaction. Mr. Colonge 76 looks like he is having so much fun meeting and talking to the perfumers. I would love to try Dawn’s limited edition fragrance. I live in the US.

  • Timea says:

    Very nice article. And these fragrances sounds fabulously. I would like to try all of them, mostly Curious. Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • spritzi says:

    Thanks so much for your report, Glenn. I really wish I could have been there, too! I’m glad you met so many people. I’m especially interested to learn more about the work that Carla Bengtson of Beyond Human is doing. Enjoy your new purchases 🙂

  • Ben says:

    All of these concepts are interesting. I have no idea what the notes are and what they would smell like, but futuristic scents ,besides the molecule series , are something I have never tried.

    I like that perfumleologists are working with scientists.

  • Scabby says:

    What a super couple of days and having the chance to work at your own at the perfume workshop must have been lots of fun. Hard to go wrong with indie perfumers. You won’t smell like everyone else. Thanks from the USA

  • DespinaVnt says:

    Thank you for the wonderful virtual tour of the event, Glenn!
    For me especially, it was a good introduction to perfume brands I’m not yet familiar with.
    I have read about the Institute of Art and Olfaction, but this is a good opportunity to expand my knowledge.
    I’d love to try any of the fragrant prizes, especially the ones from DSH Perfumes amd Mandy Aftel.
    I live in Paris, France.

  • Alen says:

    Great reading. This is a fantastic giveaway, especially Aether Arts, really intriguing, i would love to try then all. I am in the EU, thank you.

  • INYA says:

    Oh my! Both Dawn and Mandy are fantastic perfumers. I’d love to attend an event like this one day. Thanks for the insightful article. I would love to try Essenza dell’bisco Extrait, if I’m lucky. USA

  • Zibbyz says:

    Not familiar with the institute, but this sounds like a wonderful event. I enjoyed Mr cologne’s, review of the events, and am jealous of the recent where the attendees get to mix their own scent. I would love Mandy Aftel’s sample of Curious, but they all do sound wonderful, so if I’m picked but my first choice is already drawn, I would try any of the others as well. Thank you for the review and the generous draw!

  • Shelley says:

    A fantastic read about a wonderful event. I would like to try all of the scents, though especially Essenza dell’Ibisco Extrait. Thank you for the great review!
    China.

  • LauraC says:

    The perfume organ was part of the exhibit? The workshop must have been a blast. I have not heard about the Institute until now. I am in the USA.

  • Yana_Tommelise says:

    Thanks, Mr. Cologne 76 for this article! I could smell the spirit of the fair! Actually I am a big supporter of Art and Olfaction Institute and have been to a few of their award ceremonies. Saskia is a powerful and creative woman.

    You know I adore Dawn’s work. Waiting for my order of Essenza dell’Ibisco!!! Amber is also a real sweetheart and her new collection is so modern and avant-garde. Very unusual scents.

    Since I have never smelled any Aftel perfumes,i think it would really help me out to try some of her stuff. I love natural perfumery and I am very curious about Curious please include me in the drawing. Germany

  • Jitterbug Perfume Lover says:

    Thanks for another great article. I met you at the Fair, but was running around helping, and I appreciate your article because I didn’t get a chance to chat with some of the perfumers. I didn’t know that the Aether Arts perfumes were inspired by Burning Man. What a fun concept. I am a huge fan of Mandy Aftel and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz. I would like to see more perfumers who work in naturals. To be honest, I am most curious about “Curious”. I am in Los Angeles. Thank you for the chance.

  • Diana D says:

    I really enjoyed reading this article. And I’d be really interested in trying Dawn Spencer Hurwitz’s limited edition fragrance. I love her fragrances!
    I live in the US.

  • Ethylene says:

    Thanks to @mrcologne76 I can live somewhat vicariously through your eyes if not exactly your nose. It isn’t an easy task to describe fragrance so I appreciate reading your scentsational experiences. I am extremely sensitive to smell and am often appalled by the noxious so called “fragrance” I am accosted by on a daily basis. Our markets are literally flooded with toxic chemical based product and alluring campaigns supposedly to enhance our lives. The reality however is becoming increasingly alarming! I don’t mean to preach… y’all ARE both the clergy and choir. Thanks for leading the journey. My starting point and entry into your remarkable olfactory world thus far has been Mandy Aftel and all things Aftelier Perfumes! I learned about the conference and the Institute of A & O on her FB page! Thanks Mandy for your heavy lifting as well as your uplifting talents with Art and Olfaction. I am smitten the more I read and learn and would love to win Curious! I live on the east coast of Florida presently and have rare exposure to the world of natural marketable fragrances!

  • NiceVULady says:

    I always feel sad that there is nothing like this near where I live,so that I will never get an opportunity to share in this king of experience. I wouldlove to win the DSH fragrance very much after hearing so much about it. Thanks for a great article and thank you for the draw. I’m in the US.

  • Hasib says:

    Enjoyed this article and the photos as well. All the fragrances sound good. I havent tried any of these. It’ll be nice to get a chance to try all of them. Thanks for the giveaway. U.S

  • Onyinye says:

    I enjoyed looking at all the pictures and photos. I could imagine how the fair went based on the article.
    I would love to try Essenza dell’bisco Extrait and I live in California.

  • doveskylark says:

    This was a very good writeup of an event that featured conceptual fragrances. I was intrigued to read about this side of the fragrance world. Sometimes I feel I am too immersed in the vintage fragrance world. It’s important to also explore a more avant guard and experimental world of perfumery.
    I am particularly interested in the Aether Arts concept, especially Synthetic Sex.
    I live in the USA.

  • Ginny M says:

    That looks like it was a wonderful event! I have had a terrible head cold for more than a week now, and I really can’t smell much — which I’ve discovered has actually had an impact on even trying to conjure a scent in my imagination! I admit, though, to being curious about Curious. Thanks to Glenn for the wonderful tour. I live in the USA.

  • sowa says:

    Most interesting in the review was to learn that Glenn is an android guy. Glad I’m not the only one. For obvious reasons I’m curious to know Aether Arts perfums. I’d like to know if they suit me well. I live in the EU.

  • helenlam says:

    I would have loved to have been able to attend, so reading this review was almost as good as being there. I love hearing about Mandy and discovering the vetting process for the selected exhibitors. I have never been there but am considering visiting the next time I am there. I would love to try Mandy’s Curious. I live in the US. Thanks!

  • Harlod1557 says:

    Great event form a nice organization. I haven’t Heard of Art and Olfaction before, but what they’re doing seems like good cause. Supporting indie houses and teaching the public about perfumery is great. I’d definitely be interested in smelling Essenza dell’Ibisco. I mean if Michelyn needed to have more of it, it must be good. Though both the other houses all also intriguing.

  • Chose says:

    Never heard of the Institute Art and Olfaction or of the fair. This gives me a reason to schedule time to travel down to SoCal in the future. If there were no words for this review the images alone of Glenn with the artists and surroundings would suffice. He looks like he is having so much fun. And I truly jealous of that beard.

    I like that fair is themed and not limited to classically trained perfumers. As I writing I thinking, isn’t all perfumery conceptual? If no, what is non conceptual perfumery? Hmm, nevertheless of the fragrances featured I gravitate towards naturals so Mandy Aftel’s Curious appeals to me. Yet, Aether Arts appeals to my abstract math mind, so how my nose (mind) will interpret it. Here in California, USA.

  • Monica Beaton says:

    Great roundup of what sounds like a glorious fair. I have only just heard of the Institute of Art and Olfaction and have read a little bit about it. I would love to try Aftel’s Curious. I live in Australia. Great story and pics Mr Cologne!