Touch Assignment 1

 

Time, Perfume and Violets

 Photographs, 2021

OF VIOLETS AND NEURONS

"Violets smell like burnt sugar cubes that have been dipped in lemon and velvet, I might offer, doing what we always do: defining one smell by another smell or another sense. In a famous letter, Napoleon told Josephine "'not to bathe'" during the two weeks that would pass  before they met, so that he could enjoy her natural aromas. But Napoleon and Josephine also adored violets. She often wore a violet scented perfume, which was her trademark."  

- "A Natural History of The Senses", Diane Ackerman, page 404-411

Artist Statement

    These photographs were staged with specific objects in order to represent the symbolism that was within the book "A Natural History of The Senses" by Diane Ackerman. The section "Of Violets and Neurons" really intrigued me because I could almost picture the violets and the colors of the objects she stated, which to me make a very elegant combination when combined together. Ackerman discusses the eccentric smell of violets and how burnt sugar dipped in lemon and velvet smell so similar to them. So, to represent this statement I staged a white textured background and then poured down white sugar. I then placed in a lemon, a violet colored perfume, a watch and dried flowers that resembled violets. The objects were all strategically placed in order to achieve the best composition and placement.
                                                                  
    The objects chosen where strait forward in what they represented. The lemon, sugar and dried flowers represent the objects within the text. While the violet colored perfume and the watch have a more elaborate symbolism. The watch was placed, because throughout this section, of violets and neurons the sense of smell and how it reinforces memory is highly discussed throughout the text. The violet perfume bottle is to reference not just sent, but a favorite perfume that Napoleon and his wife Josephine favored that was the sent of violets.