tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post7158076987536348026..comments2024-02-20T16:10:31.948-07:00Comments on First Nerve: Portrait of the Artist: Gayil NallsAvery Gilberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-44887664003542042392009-04-08T11:34:00.000-07:002009-04-08T11:34:00.000-07:00Olfacta:Maybe decaying kudzu should replace Faulkn...Olfacta:<BR/><BR/>Maybe decaying kudzu should replace Faulkner's wistaria as the prototypical southern scent?<BR/><BR/>As for microcap: it has to be rubbed or scratched to release the scent so it's only useful where the artist wants the viewer to touch the artwork. Cotton balls or sponge-like materials can work well for less $. For active dispersal there's the Radio Shack solution: a tiny doughnut fan (like the one on your PC) to blow scent from a hidden source.<BR/><BR/>Someone should start an olfactory art technology wiki . . .Avery Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-38823056531747917772009-04-08T05:01:00.000-07:002009-04-08T05:01:00.000-07:00Regarding the expense of microencapsulation: Yes, ...Regarding the expense of microencapsulation: Yes, I believe it is holding artists back. As I understand it, the process must be done in bulk, at great expense (please correct me if I'm wrong).<BR/><BR/>I remember seeing a scent exhibit at the Miro museum in Barcelona in autumn of 1978. The odorants were in small beakers, with stoppers, accompanied with photographs and text. I've written to the museum to try to get more information on it, but no luck. I do remember finding it to be fascinating.<BR/><BR/>A friend did an installation last year in the hallway of a gallery in which he lined the walls and ceiling with kudzu (ubiquitous here in the South). As the kudzu decayed it began to smell, not unpleasant, sort of like hay. As the process continued, the olfactory overtook the visual. For me, that was the most interesting aspect.<BR/><BR/>I think there would be many more of olfactory exhibits if there was some way to make the odors last that didn't cost more than the vast majority of artists can afford.Olfactahttp://olfactarama.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-77187744162599459932009-04-07T14:23:00.000-07:002009-04-07T14:23:00.000-07:00Anonymous:Most fragrance oils can be microencapsul...Anonymous:<BR/><BR/>Most fragrance oils can be microencapsulated. There's a lot of know-how involved--some polymers don't play well with particular fragrance materials, and the formula may need to be tweaked to create a true impression. I'm not aware of DIY microcap.<BR/><BR/>Alternatives are infusing the oils into porous structural elements of the work, or hiding a scent-saturated medium (Porex plastic for example) within it.<BR/><BR/>Do you think lack of off-the-shelf solutions are holding back artists?Avery Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-34552930747508852562009-04-07T10:25:00.000-07:002009-04-07T10:25:00.000-07:00Thanks for the interesting interview.These olfacto...Thanks for the interesting interview.<BR/><BR/>These olfactory artists (thinking of Gayil Nalls and Sissel Tolaas) often use microencapsulation to present their work. Is there an easy way for amateur artists to microencapsulate an odorant, or does it require finding an industrial partner? Can anything be microencapsulated, or only some odorants?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-23251229203496208772009-04-06T09:59:00.000-07:002009-04-06T09:59:00.000-07:00Anonymous, Rudy, & Amy:Judging by your comment...Anonymous, Rudy, & Amy:<BR/><BR/>Judging by your comments and by the number of people who have read the interview there’s a large and enthusiastic audience for olfactory art.<BR/><BR/>Most importantly, people respond to scent presented in a way that speaks to deeply felt emotional connections.<BR/><BR/>After each of my recent talks, artists and gallery owners have come up to tell me about various olfactory projects. When I wrote about creativity and smell in What the Nose Knows, I had no idea there was so much going on. I can’t wait to see how it all develops.Avery Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18104017679971839738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-80524363533536650572009-04-05T20:09:00.000-07:002009-04-05T20:09:00.000-07:00What an incredible concept! Dr. Nalls mentions tha...What an incredible concept! Dr. Nalls mentions that World Sensorium will always be a work in progress; I just hope that we will have the opportunity to experience it in the near future.<BR/><BR/>Bravo for bringing attention to a great concept, artist, and philosophy. I can't wait to see what's next, both on First Nerve and with Nalls.Amy Waynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-37779938928408687472009-04-05T19:18:00.000-07:002009-04-05T19:18:00.000-07:00Ms. Nalls is at the forefront of a genre whereby a...Ms. Nalls is at the forefront of a genre whereby all can be enlightened and informed. Her insight and abilities allow us to decode our psyches, and her research and teachings help reveal the mysteries of our natural world. Ms. Nalls is one of the most significant artists working today.Rudy Manuelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8125354955146250762.post-29128115396785884462009-04-05T07:27:00.000-07:002009-04-05T07:27:00.000-07:00Phenomenol concept or reality. We are given 5 perc...Phenomenol concept or reality. We are given 5 perceived senses, and more, and the sense of smell is probably the least explored or defined. Gayil Nalls was able to develop based on her own awareness of self, a new way of evaluating the significance of our sense of smell on brain function and responsive behavior. Would love to learn more about this! LAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com