The fourth in the series documenting the Headspace symposium on “Scent As Design” that took place in March at the Parsons School for Design. If you missed them, here are part 1, part 2 and part 3. Part 4 is about 80 minutes long, and once again you'll find a brief synopsis below the jump.
Part 4 starts with the fourth in the series of "accidental perfumers", in this case Commonwealth, the design partnership of Zoe Coombes and David Boira. They worked with perfumers Jean-Marc Chaillan and Clement Gavarry. First we have the presentation, then (at the 14 minute mark), a conversation between Zoe Coombes, David Boira, Jean-Marc Chaillan and Chandler Burr.
Next up (starting at the 23 minute mark) a panel on Anosmia, with Jean-Louis Frechin, Rachel Herz, and Sylvia Lavin, moderated by Jamer Hunt.
I like what Jean-Louis Frechin had to say about modern capitalism being based on the libidinal economy – with the huge screen beside him filled with the image of a sexed-up Paris Hilton – and the idea of an artist directed to design with the consumer’s’ desire in mind because of the need for a return on the company’s investment. Sad.
I see it everywhere in fragrance. The most recent example that comes to mind is that “the making of” clip that appeared quite recently here on NST for Beyonce’s new fragrance. Sigh (or maybe Yawn). The old Sex Sells routine.
It was heartening to hear what Frechin had to say about his own approach to design. “I prefer to design for love,” he said, “not desire.” Thanks, J-P. I’m glad there are lots of perfumers who still embrace the same philosophy. 😉
I liked him too! And liked that they finally started showing the screens…for many of the presentations they didn’t.