Iron Fine Arts and Art Installation Design · 2021
Same But Different Tangible Smell
- A' Design Award 2021 Iron Winner in Fine Arts and Art Installation Design
- Awarded April 15, 2021
- CLIENT: Asya Demidova
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 11,396
- Verification code 8B4350FBF5 · Verify this award
About Same But Different Tangible Smell
Same But Different is an art installation that turns smell into a physical form. The work is based on isomers, which are compounds with the same chemical formula but a different arrangement of atoms, and can therefore carry two different smells. Each sculpture holds two related smells and joins their molecular shapes in one form. The forms are 3D printed and coated with several layers of holographic paint applied by an industrial airbrush. Internal chambers with absorbent materials preserve the smells, which diffuse outward through thin conduits. Visitors can hold and smell each piece.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The project is about converting smell into a physical form and constructing visual interpretation in two different approaches. For the first approach, to provide a tangible experience of the smell, forms were created. Each shape contains two relevant smells. Molecular representation of the smells has to be placed together to create a form. Smells were contrasted in their juxtaposition to each other using still-life layouts based on these smells' chemical arrangements for the second approach.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The 3D forms around 12-15cm and printed with the maximum resolution of the printer. The inside of the forms has internal chambers (2cm) with absorbent materials, which allow preserving the smell. The chambers are connected to the exterior through thin conduits (2mm), which allow the smell to diffuse out.
- Tags
- smell, chemistry, 3dprint, sculpture, art, tangible, juxtaposition, 3d, holographic
- Production Technology
- The forms were 3D printed and coated with several holographic paint layers applied by an industrial airbrush. Shape and a colour give a hint about the duality of the smell preserved in one form.
- Design Challenge
- The project's greatest challenge was to stay on the scientific side and translate real phenomena into the experience for the ordinary person.
- Project Duration
- The project started in January 2017 in Moscow and finished after five months. It was exhibited in the "Reveal" show in June 2017.
- Operation Flow
- People can smell and grab the sculptures to experience them from different angles.
- Research
- There are thousands of chemical substances. The exploration is about unique pairs which have the same formula but have two different smells. Only a small variation in the arrangement of their atoms makes them different. This rare and unique phenomenon was found and confirmed with experts (perfumers and chemists) through the research.
- Inspiration
- The complexity of the human senses is impressive. If you are interested in the topic, it will bring you to the research in the chemistry behind them, in this project specifically to smells.