A painting by Picasso inspires two perfume workshops
This April, I had the joy of conducting two olfactory initiation workshops at the Musée Réattu, the Fine Arts Museum of Arles (France), during their "visit & after-school snack" activities during the school holidays.
During the preparatory visit to the museum, I was invited to discover the permanent collection of works of art of the museum in order to choose the artwork that would be the inspiration for future workshops intended for a family audience (one 6+ year old child and one adult).
The choice fell on Pablo Picasso's painting entitled "Lee Miller as Arlesienne" from 1971.
Of course, the idea of evoking the scent of Arles was very inspiring for several reasons: the figure of the typical Arlesian character, the colorful and very marked hispanicity of Pablo Picasso (I lived 18 years in Spain, and could not resist it...) and the figure of an American photographer, Lee Miller, famous for her photography in Hitler's bathroom after the war (which says a lot about her character), .
I selected ten olfactory ingredients from my perfume organ for this workshop intended for a young audience.
The Arlesian girl, this beauty queen of the emblematic bullfighting festivals of Arles Picasso was fond of, is evoked by Agarwood, this Asian tree with a leathery, almost animal smell.
Lee Miller's assertive character was translated into scent thanks to spices such as blue ginger and its powerful and acidic lemony facet. I made another little nod to Lee Miller with spearmint, this sweet mint that reminds the flavor of the chewing gum brought to Europe by the American soldiers during the Second World War.
As for Picasso, I represented him with cinnamon, this hot spice that the Spanish love and they even sprinkle on their coffee!
I completed the palette of scents by taking inspiration from the colors in the painting:
- green with bergamot and lemon leaf
- white with white sandalwood and musk
- the purple color of nail polish on lee miller's fingers with violet
- the pink background color with rose
A cocktail of ingredients that foretell beautiful creations.
The day finally arrived. I prepared the room with all necessary tools.
Then I briefly presented my practice combining photography and perfumery, in order to introduce the workshop which ultimately resembles my practice combining artistic and olfactory expressions.
After this short presentation during which I made them smell two perfumes inspired by my photos, we all went to the museum to discover the painting of Pablo Picasso, guided by Elizabeth Pouliquen, the museum's mediator.
It was a very refreshing moment to hear the children's comments about this artwork which raised questions.
Back in the activity space, I presented the ten olfactory ingredients made available to them one by one. I distributed smelling stips to each participant. I allowed a moment of exchange so that feelings could be expressed and to write down annotations on each ingredient on their formulation sheet.
Once the ten ingredients were smelt and evaluated, it was time for the composition. I recommended them to use a maximum of 5 materials so as not to overcomplicate their formula. I went to each group to guide them and to answer any doubts and questions.
Once the first formula was noted on the sheet, it was time to start counting the 50 drops that make it up in a small bottle using the dropper bottles placed in front of each two-person team.
I smelt the creation, asked them what they thought, and advised them on what changes to make for the second, then third trial.
Once the weighings were completed, each participant selected their favorite trial I would weigh with my precision scale in a 15ml bottle that they took home as a souvenir of the workshop.
An fun activity that was repeated two days later with another group.
It is always rewarding to share my passion as a perfumer, and what's more, in an artistic and cultural setting.