The Sensory Experience of Art: Smell Meets Installation

Art installations are often a feast for the eyes, but at Kristallwelten in Innsbruck, Austria, the experience transcends mere visuals to engage the sense of smell. In Fernando Romero's 'El Sol,' visitors are enveloped in a cave-like environment that features a Swarovski crystal sphere, meticulously designed to reflect light and sound in an otherworldly manner.

The installation's ambiance is a compelling blend of soothing and unsettling sensations. While many may simply enjoy the aesthetic aspects, the true magic lies in the carefully crafted scent that permeates the space. A unique concoction of thyme, black juniper, moss, and gunpowder fills the air, creating an atmosphere that evokes the vastness of space or a peculiar haunted house.

Beyond 'El Sol,' Kristallwelten presents several other 'Chambers of Wonder,' each with its own olfactory identity, albeit less pronounced than the central installation. Here, visitors can encounter soft, pleasant aromas of pine and mint, harmonizing with the shimmering crystal surroundings—an experience that feels like an elaborate advertisement for Swarovski, yet invites deeper contemplation of how scent, sound, and sight intertwine in art.

Source: defector.com