The Guggenheim will present Green Aria, a ScentOpera, on May 31st and June 1st:
The ScentOpera introduces a new art form created by Stewart Matthew based only on smell and sound. Matthew collaborates with renowned fragrance designer Christophe Laudamiel and composers Nico Muhly and Valgeir Sigurdsson. Original scents and music will be performed in the dark via a customized scent organ for a world premiere unlike any other.
The creation of the ScentOpera is supported by Fläkt Woods, Thierry Mugler Parfums, and Arup.
You can read a more detailed description of the ScentOpera concept at The New York Academy of Science's Science & The City site.
The 7:30 shows are sold out for both nights, but tickets for the 9:30 shows are still available, and can be purchased from The Guggenheim. (quote via guggenheim, found via scentmarketing.org)
Wow! What an amazing idea. I wish I could be there…anyone here planning to go, and report back?
I hope someone will!
Is it me, or is this the single most prank-able event ever devised?
I know, I’m awful.
You’re awful, but I’m dense: prankable how?
I vividly remember things like high school field trips, where the boys would open bottles of extremely smelly things when in elevators, etc. with others. I think opening a bottle of ANYthing (or peeling a tangerine, etc.) could really spoil the narrative flow of the show… are they completely banning teenagers from this event?
But seriously, I do love the idea of a scent opera. I wonder how differently the members of the audience will perceive the unfolding of events?
Well, if the tickets were free…but can’t see high school kids buying tickets & dressing up on a Friday night just for that!
Nico Muhly is an amazing composer based in NYC. It would be worth it just to hear his music. And also to smell what the hell kind of scents they will choose to accompany it!
I wonder how many scents there are? You’d think there would have to be a lot of them to make it interesting.
1) not for the pregnant or overly-sensitive to smells, however you know one of those folk will be there…probably resulting in legislation banning any future performances…
2) they’ve just managed to one-up Scriabin. Impressive.
Probably not a good idea if you have asthma either.
Anybody else remember Smellovision in the 70’s, I think, when scents were wafted into movie theaters? never got to experience it myself, but this sounds like loads of fun. would love to hear the music!
They did that again for the recent Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
Darn, the 9:30 shows appear to be sold out as well. (It’s not indicated on the Guggenheim site, but when I tried to actually purchase them I was told they were sold out. Bunz.)
Oh, sorry!
I’ll be going to this ScentOpera. Very much looking forward to it. I’ll be happy to report back!
I still have my John Waters ‘Odorama” scratch & sniff card from “Polyester” somewhere in the attic.
Good, do let us know!
Hey, I have one of those Polyester cards too! My brother actually went to the premiere (in Baltimore, naturally).
I’m very jealous of your going to Scentopera but nevertheless excited to hear the full report!
Oscar Wilde and Sarah Bernhardt planned to burn incense on stage during “Salomé”. The production was cancelled because a Reformation-era law forbidding representation of Biblical characters on stage was still on the books.
What a weird story!
Oh I am just kicking and kicking myself.
I knew about this months ago and didn’t buy tickets, because I didn’t think I’d be in New York that week. Now I will be and they’re gone, even the “added performance” on Sunday.
Harrumph. I’m going to call and see if they have a waiting list or something. Or maybe some kind soul will see this comment and contact me with an unused ticket. (Bats eyes and gazes modestly at floor.)
Oh drat! Sorry, & hope you manage to scrounge up a ticket.
This event sounds like something I’d love beyond belief. I wish I were in NYC (and had a ticket).
Seriously, I think it’s awesome that they’re producing events like this. Very interesting.
Christophe Laudamiel is doing lots of interesting stuff lately!
Bob Dylan burns incense at his concerts.
Many times I went to the opera (or concerts, etc) and there was a perfume symphony due to the spectators, not always a pleasant piece of art. But I never remember the smells associated with music, just the music. I adore this: “a new form of art”! Let there be more and more forms of art!
Yes…hopefully the patrons at this event will not wear perfume!