©Jeanette Müller
For this project at the intersection of applied sociopolitical utopia and conceptual art I developed an all natural scent diffused in a huge tent, placed in front of the Hilton, Muscat.
The aim was to create an overall feel good-atmosphere, which effects calmness, strength and clarity and helps the international participants to get into a grounded and confident mood before heading to their presentations, conference panels and discussions.
Setup: “Change Was Our Only Chance” by Time´s Up
For this project by the artists´collective Time´s Up Paul Divjak was invited to develop an olfactory scenographic approach and create an experimental, dystopian scentscape. The result was an irritating bouquet of a futuristic harbor breeze, defined by muddy waters, wet wooden notes, and sweet rotten Asian flowers. A subtile but smelly trip to the year 2047. [Phase 1 of an experiment / collaborative work in progress]
In these times of fundamental change, this mix of installation and process wants to make you “want for the future”. The future perspective into the present makes it clear that the future for us (humans) will only be experienced if we introduce changes today.
An possible future is sensually experienced through a physical narrative, a form of immersive environment, explored in the enveloping spatial arrangement, in the here and now, in a curious and playful process.
Possible futures fuel passion to boldly explore and popularize the complexity of our time. Possible futures are demystified and stripped of anxiety. Uncertain future scenarios are no longer terrifying, because in that future we see that people in the past had understood: “Change our our only chance.”
We look forward to working with the lecturers, researchers and students of the University of Applied Arts Vienna and the Applied Innovation Laboratory AIL in this project of exhibition and discussion, workshop and exploration.
Jerusalem – Mahane Jehuda Market
Smellscape / scent installation, 2015
Garden of the Jewish Museum, Hohenems
(In cooperation with the On-Site Art Festival)
With his smellscape Paul Divjak is stepping into an olfactory dialogue with the current exhibition at the Jewish Museum: „A Streetcar Named Desired“, which takes the visitors on a reflective journey through Jerusalem by following the route of tram number 1, crossing and connecting the various „Jerusalems“.
In „L´année dernière à Jersualem“ the artist is describing a stroll through the city of Jerusalem. Subjective memories concerning the sense of smell enfold a assiciative and symbolic bouquet of the Holy city, center of three religions. Such evoking the aura of the very place of different cultures.
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“Im Prater blüh´n wieder die Bäume”, MuseumQuartier
IM PRATER BLÜH´N WIEDER DIE BÄUME, Smellscape / scent installation, 2016
(In Prater the trees are blossoming again)
A project commissioned for Wir-sind-Wien-Festival
Public Space, Vienna – in cooperation with: Kunst Haus Wien / Museum Hundertwasser, Historical Museum of Vienna, Museums Quarter Vienna, The Austrian Museum of Folk Life and Folk Art.
With „In Prater the trees are blossoming again “ Paul Divjak is focusing on the diversity of urban smell and the manipulation of our olfactory surroundings. Setting up temporary smellscapes (olfactory interventions) the artist is transferring odours of famous Vienna Prater (the Emperor´s former hunting grounds) into the very city center, and in front of several museums. The aroma of musty earth, woods, lime blossoms and lilac is to be experienced at urban locations, which usually are defined by the lack of any green.The audience is such invited into the realm of the sense of smell and to reflect everyday perceptions.
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„Der Geruch des Mondes“@„Der Mond. Sehnsucht, Kunst und Wissenschaft“
“The smell of the moon” @”Our Moon. Longing, Art and Science”
Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, 30.10.2019-1.6.2020
Idee und Duftkonzeption / Idea and scent-conception: Dr. Paul Divjak
Technische Umsetzung / Technical support : Elke Kies / Magic Box
“Durch professionelle Geruchsentwickler wurde nach Angaben der Apollo-Astronauten der „Geruch“ des Mondes eigens für das NHM Wien nachgebaut.” (APA)
“Dafür steigt man auf die Waage, wo man das eigene Gewicht ablesen kann. Ein kleiner Schritt für die Menschheit. Ein großer Schreck, drückt man auf den Knopf: So riecht es also auf dem Mond! (Nach verbranntem Schießpulver.)“ (Die Presse)
Der Mond, nächster Nachbar und steter Begleiter der Erde, ist nicht nur ein hochinteressanter kosmischer Körper mit bewegter Vergangenheit, sondern hat auch eine enorme Anziehungskraft auf Romantiker, Schriftsteller und Künstler. Das Naturhistorische Museum Wien nimmt das 50. Jubiläumsjahr der ersten bemannten Mondlandung zum Anlass, den Mond im Rahmen einer umfangreichen Sonderausstellung aus verschiedensten Perspektiven zu betrachten. — mehr —
