Odor

Imagine visiting an exhibition where the works are neither audible nor tangible. This radical idea forms the central theme of the exhibition “Odor” at the Museum für Gegenwartskunst in Siegen. The displays exclusively feature immaterial sculptures which visitors can only experience with their noses. The concept ties into the central characteristics of one’s sense of smell – on the one hand, highlighting an odor’s immediate connection to and association with memories, and on the other, its fleeting nature and the difficulty to adequately describe it in words. Based on the sensory experience of smell, the exhibition explores existential themes such as self-perception, physicality, transience, politics and climate, and at the same time, emphasises the significance of sensory interplay for the artistic experience.

“Odor” features a selection of new and existing works by international artists, exhibited in 15 separate and seemingly empty rooms. Together with the Tyrolean State Museum Ferdinandeum in Innsbruck, the curators are developing customised room conditions for works by the Norwegian olfactory art pioneer Sissel Tolaas, the Italian artist Luca Vitone, Olafur Eliasson, Maria Eichhorn and many others. Collaborations are also planned with the great “noses” of the international perfume industry. The immersive exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of artistic-scientific events and educational projects with art and fragrance experts. The organisers will also produce an elaborately designed catalogue with in-depth essays and a selection of curated fragrances that will help preserve the experience despite is fleeting nature.

Curator: Thomas Thiel
Assistant curator: Lea März
Artists / participants: Jason Dodge, Carsten Höller, Koo Jeong A, Oswaldo Maciá, Teresa Margolles, Pamela Rosenkranz, Sissel Tolaas, Clara Ursitti, Luca Vitone and others

Exhibition: Museum für Gegenwartskunst Siegen, Siegen: 18 Nov. 2022 – 26 Feb. 2023 Ferdinandeum, Tiroler Landesmuseum, Innsbruck: 28 Apr. – 8 Oct. 2023