The “Scent in Cinema” series challenges the traditional cinematic paradigm, elevating olfactory art—a realm often relegated to comedic dismissal—into a critical discourse of sensory expression. Co-curated with Jas Brooks (University of Chicago), our hybrid program invites global participants to a synchronized multisensory journey. Audiences receive bespoke scratch-and-sniff cards, commencing their exploration with a virtual screening, and culminating in an insightful panel dialogue with directors and industry luminaries. Our inaugural event rejuvenated the Smell-O-Vision! classic, A Tale of Old Whiff (1960), sparking enthusiastic conversations on its scent-centric narrative legacy amongst esteemed panelists like Professor Leslie Kay (olfactory neurobiologist) and Professor Catherine Clepper (scented cinema historian).

The series thrived on the universality yet individuality of scent perception, leading to further discussions featuring experts in participatory cinema across the UK, USA, and Australia, complete with customized scent cards echoing the panelists’ iconic works. This initiative not only amplifies the significance of olfactory arts but also fosters a profound sensory engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration in film and art.

Finalist for the 2022 Sadakichi Award

About the award: The Sadakichi Award for Experimental Work with Scent stands out as a prestigious accolade that celebrates innovative practitioners who venture beyond the boundaries of traditional perfumery. Specifically, it honors those who employ scent in unconventional and groundbreaking ways. This award is part of the broader Art and Olfaction Awards, established in 2014 by the Institute for Art and Olfaction, which annually recognizes only eight exemplary projects from around the world. By being a finalist for the Sadakichi Award, the project asserts its pivotal role in advancing experimental scent practices within the global arts and fragrance landscapes.

A thank you: During these COVID-19 lockdowns, the joy of connecting and sharing scented experiences with global audiences has been immeasurable. The IAO community stands unparalleled in its warmth and inspiration. Discovering the excellent work of fellow finalists has been truly exhilarating. A hearty congratulations to each finalist! Our heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed judges for considering our series as a finalist for the 2022 Sadakichi Award. Your recognition is deeply cherished.

A Tale of Old Whiff panel

The event occurred on Friday, December 4th, 2020, and featured: over 230 registrations across 20 countries and 130 live attendees. This installment was made possible thanks to the support of the University of Chicago Graduate Council and Cinerama Inc!

The short animation stars Whiff, a bloodhound put to work by an intrepid detective to sniff out a museum’s stolen dinosaur bone worth $100,000.00. One small problem… Whiff can’t smell anything, but luckily the audience can.

The cartoon accompanied Mike Todd Jr.’s Scent of Mystery in its original theatrical release in 1960. This first scented animation originally featured 15 unique odors, delivered to each seat by Swiss inventor Hans Laube’s “Smell Brain”. A long-lost print, only recently discovered, has been restored and re-mastered by David Strohmaier. Tammy Burnstock, Michelle French (FrenchBaker), Missy Whitaker (Print-A-Scent), and Neal Harris (Scentevents) collaborated to create a scratch and sniff card featuring 8 odors, including hot dog, dinosaur bone, and a complex field of flowers.

Panelists:
Prof. Leslie Kay (US), University of Chicago
Dr. Catherine Clepper (US), University of Rutgers
Prof. Scott Wolniak (US), University of Chicago
(In conversation with Tammy Burnstock and Jas Brooks)

Participatory Scented Cinema panel

The event occured on Saturday, September 11th, 2021, and featured: over 120 registrations across 10 countries. Outdoor screenings, goodie bags, airzookas, food, bubbles, and candies oh my! For Scent in Cinema’s second installment, we highlight the wondrous art form of participatory scented cinema: a multisensory experience breaking down the conventional rules of the cinematic viewing experience by directly involving the audience with play. As Gene Siskel wrote on John Waters’s Polyester, “what I enjoyed was the act and the idea of a whole bunch of strangers sitting in a movie theater, scratching cards and smelling in unison with a movie character. […] It’s a film that laughs at adults, but, thanks to Odorama, it’s also a film that allows all of us to laugh at ourselves” (Siskel 1981). 

We were excited to welcome a panel of international artists who have tackled the world of scented cinema over the last two decades, presented a variety of scented experiences, and each with their own creative goals. Topics covered by the panel discussion spanned how play impacts cinema, how multisensory experiences lower the barrier of entry in cultural engagement, what the legal ramifications of such works are, and more. The panel was accompanied by an original scratch-and-sniff card featuring three scents representative of each panelists’ work (including Burnstock’s) for a total of 12 fragrances.

Panelists:
Megan Dickerson (US), The New Children’s Museum
Clinton McClung (US), Cinebago Events
Bren O’Callaghan (GB), HOME
(In conversation with Tammy Burntock and Jas Brooks)