Doused in Knowledge

Hey, readers! Welcome back to my weekly blog. :))

Before we get started on the literature review, here are some quick updates on the project.

Paintings: being chosen/analyzed! No music.

Survey: I decided more about what to include/not include that will allow me to better figure out patterns in what people interpret the paintings like, to compare to the end survey of the artwork combined with the scent.

Perfumery: learned more about essential oils, accords, the process of perfumery (tincturing!), and complexity in a fragrance. Planning to make at least one mixed media (naturals and synthetics) fragrance.

Literature Review

Perfumes are either made from natural or synthetic fragrances (fine vs natural perfumes). Natural fragrances are made from natural materials, like essential oils and plant extractions, while synthetic fragrances are lab-created. While natural fragrances are usually more expensive with a shorter shelf life and less lasting power and sillage, synthetic fragrances are usually cheaper with a longer shelf life. There is a complex narrative on which of the two fragrances are safer. While natural fragrances are believed to be safer than synthetic ones in general, some ingredients in natural oils used are not necessarily as carefully scrutinized to prevent potential allergenic risks, possibly acting as endocrine disruptors, and synthetics may also offer less allergenic alternatives. However, the many preservatives commonly used in synthetics may be harmful to the body if inhaled, which in the case of a perfume, happens really often. Both sides have their pros and cons, and it’s up to the perfumer to decide which materials to integrate into their fragrances to optimize the safety of the perfume users. [1]

Evidence shows that fragrances can directly/indirectly impact the psychological and physiological human conditions, with a number of plants used in aromatherapy being beneficial as well. [2] The brain’s olfactory bulb is next to emotional processing regions, and studies have shown that dysfunctional smells may be associated with mood disorders. Social odors are part of what helps connections and mood form between and within humans, so researching how created fragrances may amplify how one interprets a work of art will contribute to this topic; [3] studying this may also allow for control over specific moods or complexity of people in art.

This exploration of art-inspired fragrances goes beyond traditional perfumery, instead allowing one to experience and interpret art through a multifactorial lens (two different senses).

Until Next Time

I hope you enjoyed this update on my Senior Project. Thanks for sticking by!

See you later,

Alina : )

Sources

1. The [Complete & Complex] Guide to Natural vs. Synthetic Fragrance: What’s the Difference? Petite Histoire.

2. Sowndhararajan, K.; Kim, S. Influence of Fragrances on Human Psychophysiological Activity: With Special Reference to Human Electroencephalographic Response. Scientia Pharmaceutica 2016, 84 (4), 724–751. https://doi.org/10.3390/scipharm84040724.

3. Scent | Psychology Today. www.psychologytoday.com.