Between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, contemporary culture and philosophy in particular encouraged an energetic reappraisal of the sensible life as an integral part of corporeity and intermediation between humans and ‘their’ world. ‘Sensibility’ evokes an interface relationship with the world, while the ‘sensorium,’ a distinct term/concept that is related to the former, ex…
People may be visually oriented, but unconsciously we turn to other senses to simplify and de-stress our complicated existence. Fragrance is mysterious, ethereal and elusive. Yet it is rooted solidly in the physical world and can therefore be examined scientifically. The chemistry behind fragrance is complex and fascinating. How do you build fragrance molecules to withstand heat and water and t…
The Egyptians developed aromatic oils and essences 5000 years ago. Great perfume lovers, they used almond and rose oil, frankincense and myrrh, cedar, mimosa and lily, nutmeg, sweet balsam, cassia, benzoin and labdanum, galbanum and opopanax in such diverse preparations as aphrodisiacs, medicines, cosmetics and incense. In fact, the art of perfumery in Ancient Egypt was so sophisticated that wh…