Saskia Wilson-Brown, Director, The Institute for Art and Olfaction, Chinatown, Los Angeles
Though perfumery was considered a vital aspect of daily existence in ancient societies, during the 19th and 20th centuries it began to be treated as a luxury—a product to be bought and consumed only by the elite. But now, spurred by the internet and the DIY ethos, the art of perfumery is undergoing re-examination. Scent is becoming linked with architecture, contemporary art, and other creative practices, re-engaging it with the big bad world.
A producer and curator for visual art and film, Saskia Wilson-Brown started The Institute for Art and Olfaction in 2012, a non-profit arts organization devoted to access, education and experimentation with scent. In 2013, she launched the Art and Olfaction Awards, which celebrate excellence in artisan, independent and experimental perfumery. In 2016, she co-developed the AIX Scent Fair with Hammer Museum, which will happen this May.