venice_biennale
ODORAMA CITIES by KOO JEONG A
The scent is created by NONFICTION
ODORAMA CITIES
by KOO JEONG A
The scent is created
by NONFICTION
For the Korean Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale 2024
Curated by Seolhui Lee and Jacob Fabricius
Commissioned by ARKO
The 60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia
Curated by Seolhui Lee and Jacob Fabricius
Commissioned by ARKO
NONFICTION is participating as the scent creation partner for The 60th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, unveiling ‘ODORAMA CITIES,’ a portrayal of modern and contemporary Korean history imbued with olfactory inspiration.
Our journey, crafting moments of profound introspection through scent,
has been further enriched through collaborations with young artists.
Now, we invite you to experience the uniquely crafted fragrance of memories by KOO JEONG A and NONFICTION, who will illuminate the pavilion as its representative artist, and the respected ‘Master Perfumer’ Dominique Ropion(IFF).
NONFICTION is participating as the scent creation
partner for the 60th Venice Biennale Korean Pavilion,
unveiling ‘ODORAMA CITIES,’ a portrayal of modern
and contemporary Korean history imbued with
olfactory inspiration.
Our journey, crafting moments of profound
introspection through scent,has been further enriched through collaborations with young artists.
Now, we invite you to experience the uniquely crafted
fragrance of memories by KOO JEONG A and NONFICTION,
who will illuminate the pavilion as its
representative artist, and the respected
‘Master Perfumer’ Dominique Ropion(IFF).
Scent
ODORAMA CITIES
Lushness of a forest covering a mountainside. A touch of incense blending the quiet, sensual allure and enduring tenacity. A delicate tuberose, creamy sandalwood, and refreshing eucalyptus culminate in the imagery of pure white.
Lushness of a forest covering a mountainside.
A touch of incense blending the quiet, sensual allure
and enduring tenacity. A delicate tuberose, creamy
sandalwood, and refreshing eucalyptus culminate
in the imagery of pure white.
Main Note: Sandalwood | Armoise | Incense | Tuberose
Inspiration
SCENT MEMORIES
ODORAMA CITIES portrays Korean modern history through scents.
It is an elaborate contruction of the peninsula’s chronicle. The project’s iconic images and keywords have been categorized into four major eras, which also provide the foundation for this pyramid of fragrances.
-
1. 1960s: The Force of Nature
The sea and the forests, the scent of pine resin, and a salty wind. The scent memory lane departs from the intensity and divinity exuded by the rugged mountainous region that shapes the Korean peninsula. -
2. 1970s — 1980s: Industrialization
The era’s complexity is represented by civets, ambrette seeds, and other unique spices. The memories from the peak of industrialization are portrayed by the smells of dust, smoke, and the pungent burns of metal, scattered across nostalgic scenes. -
3. 1990s — 2000s: Ordinary Moments
In cities, modernized daily scenes embrace moments of warmth amid hustle and bustle. The smells of soap at public baths, rice cooking, the hint of herbal medicine filling the alley, and the warm sunlight drenching a grandmother’s garden represent accords that are unique to Korea. -
4. 2010s — 2020s: Urban Nostalgia
Asphalt surfaces dotted with puddles, cold air filling the subway, and sounds of engines echoing across the night air. The accords of ambergris , aldehyde, and asphalt converge into an imagery of urban nostalgia.
Inspiration
SCENT MEMORIES
ODORAMA CITIES portrays Korean modern history
through scents. It is an elaborate contruction of the
peninsula’s chronicle. The project’s iconic images
and keywords have been categorized into four major
eras, which also provide the foundation for this
pyramid of fragrances.
-
1. 1960s: The Force of Nature
The sea and the forests, the scent of pine resin,
and a salty wind. The scent memory lane departs
from the intensity and divinity exuded
by the rugged mountainous region that shapes
the Korean peninsula. -
2. 1970s — 1980s: Industrialization
The era’s complexity is represented by civets,
ambrette seeds, and other unique spices.
The memories from the peak of industrialization
are portrayed by the smells of dust, smoke,
and the pungent burns of metal, scattered across
nostalgic scenes. -
3. 1990s — 2000s: Ordinary Moments
In cities, modernized daily scenes embrace moments
of warmth amid hustle and bustle.
The smells of soap at public baths, rice cooking,
the hint of herbal medicine filling the alley,
and the warm sunlight drenching a grandmother’s
garden represent accords that are unique to Korea. -
4. 2010s — 2020s: Urban Nostalgia
Asphalt surfaces dotted with puddles,
cold air filling the subway,
and sounds of engines echoing across the night air.
The accords of ambergris , aldehyde, and asphalt
converge into an imagery of urban nostalgia.
Portrait of Koo Jeong A. Courtesy of PKM Gallery.
Photo by Kim Je Won.
The Artist
KOO JEONG A
KOO JEONG A is an internationally acclaimed artist who imbues a poetic universality to fragile and transient objects.
KOO’s creative world traverses a broad spectrum of medium including fragrance, drawing, painting, sculpture, installation,
film, architecture, and words. Throughout the years, KOO has investigated
and blurred the lines between their artwork and the space it occupies.
The artwork adds new layers to any given space
and KOO manages to merge small intimate experiences and large-scale immersive works.
KOO’s exploration delves into the connectedness of energy between places and people.
KOO JEONG A is an internationally acclaimed
artist who imbues a poetic universality
to fragile and transient objects.
KOO’s creative world traverses a broad spectrum
of medium including fragrance, drawing, painting,
sculpture, installation, film, architecture,
and words. Throughout the years,
KOO has investigated and blurred the lines
between their artwork and the space it occupies.
The artwork adds new layers to any given space
and KOO manages to merge small intimate
experiences and large-scale immersive works.
KOO’s exploration delves into the connectedness
of energy between places and people.
Portrait of Koo Jeong A. Courtesy of PKM Gallery. Photo by Kim Je Won.
The Nose
DOMINIQUE ROPION
One of the world’s most reputed perfumers, master perfumer Dominique Ropion(IFF) has astonished the world
and left milestones in perfume history with masterpiece fragrances
created in collaboration with legendary houses.
Drawing on his instinctive expertise, he smoothly blends contrasting imagery
and creates a near-perfect balance in his beautiful works,
instilling them with a unique energy that combines sternness and experimental challenges.
One of the world’s most reputed perfumers,
master perfumer Dominique Ropion has
astonished the world and left milestones
in perfume history with masterpiece fragrances
created in collaboration with legendary houses.
Drawing on his instinctive expertise, he smoothly
blends contrasting imagery
and creates a near-perfect balance in his
beautiful works, instilling them with
a unique energy that combines sternness
and experimental challenges.
Korean Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition
Visit
<KOO JEONG A – ODORAMA CITIES>
<KOO JEONG A
– ODORAMA CITIES>
Period: April 20 – November 24, 2024
Venue: Korean Pavilion, Giardini della Biennale, Castello 1260, 30122 Venezia, Italia
Korean Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition
– La Biennale de Venezia
Period: April 20 – November 24, 2024
Venue: Korean Pavilion (Padiglione Coreano)
Il Padiglione Coreano Biennale di Venezia Giardini di Castello 30122 Venezia, Italy
Korean Pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition