‘Scents-u-all Love’ was a public space installation designed for the Chelsea Fringe in 2014. It explores scent oriented design; specifically how architecture & public spaces might be designed around our sense of smell. The installations culminated with an interactive public art event. This project was made in collaboration with Curt Brown of Green truC studio.

We have split our project into 5 posts:

  1. The first post explores our project ideas, multisensory design and the development of our design for construction and installation.
  2. The second post describes the public space installations at Broadgate; for the Chelsea Fringe Festival and then outside Broadgate tower.
  3. The third post describes scent oriented design installations at Canada Square and Bell Square. (this post)
  4. The fourth post describes the installation at Wimbledon Piazza and the interactive public art event.
  5. The fifth and final post describes the construction process. We present a guide of how to make a scented chair for yourself.

Canada Square Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs – Scent Oriented Design

At Canary Wharf the square for the installation was designed with a huge fountain to one side. When the fountains flowed the space was filled with the white noise of water falling and splashing back into the pond.

The opportunity here was to limit some of the sitter’s senses and focus others. For example we limited the sitter’s field of vision by facing the chairs towards and around the fountain. In this way the walls also amplified the white noise from the water to drone out the sense of hearing. As a result we hoped the sitter would be reduced to more focussed senses of smell & touch. Our approach towards a scent oriented design was adapted specifically to the opportunities of each site.

My father Guy Cooper at the installation.
Sage
Light at the end of the tunnel
Hope in the turning of a page
Endow me with health anew
Oh silver-green knight they call Sage
Slay the monstrous monotony
That plagues my unrelenting palate
Halt the pounding of desire
Left by Mundane's mallet
Sooth the channel of my words
That I may speak your wisdom
Bitter though such words may be
They leave a state of wholesome
Bearer of unfailing strength
Through ice and fires extended
With shortened steps you travel far
And in your wake, I am mended
Sage
---
Curt Brown

Bell Square, Hounslow – Debut Art Installation

The next stop was Bell Square, an outdoor arts space in the heart of Hounslow, launched in 2014.

Bell Square was conceived as a large multifunctional arts space for events and installations. Therefore the square design had been left largely empty to allow maximal flexibility for performances and arts events. At this time the square was only recently completed, and the first performance event had not taken place yet. Our chairs were the debut art installation.

A person in black stopping to have a seat. The seat-less planted wall in the foreground is designed with wheelchair users in mind.

Our chairs were invited to be the debut art installation at Bell Square. The public were invited to explore our scent oriented design and our installation culminated with the first performance event for Bell Square.

The chairs installation ended with the first event for Bell Square – Bilbo Basso!
Bell Square in Hounslow, near Heathrow Airport

We found that compared with the other locations so far, here more people walked past the installation. Few were stopping and spending any time at this square. As the Square was only recently completed, we believe that people had not developed the habit to stop and sit here. Furthermore as the space is so open without shelter, trees or shade, one feels quite exposed sitting here. In conclusion with hindsight perhaps a clustered arrangement could have mitigated some of these issues and created greater comfort and interest.

Rosemary
Of upright stature, or laid prostrate
Ever clothed in needles green
Inject me with dew from oceans great
Eschew from me all that is unclean
Upon carbonaceous vapours rise
A sweet aroma to savour
Lest we forget and close our eyes
In you we seek peaceful favour
From earth and rocks kissed by the sun
Where waters flow out of reach
Locked in a battle with scorching winds
A strength of will that none can breach
Yet when the sun has had its fill
Moon shining upon caverns empty
You gently caress tender flesh
And infuse with good memories aplenty
Rosemary
---
Curt Brown

5 posts of Scents-u-all Love:

We hope you enjoyed reading this post about our project Scents-u-all-love. We have split this story into 5 posts:

  1. The first post explores our project ideas, multisensory design and the development of our design for construction and installation. (this post)
  2. The second post describes the public space installations at Broadgate; for the Chelsea Fringe Festival and then outside Broadgate tower.
  3. The third post describes scent oriented design installations at Canada Square and Bell Square. (this post)
  4. The fourth post describes the installation at Wimbledon Piazza and the interactive public art event.
  5. The fifth and final post describes the construction process. We present a guide of how to make a scented chair for yourself.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your installation project.