Emily Wang: Midterm Portfolio – #6 Touch Object
Project Description:
For this assignment, I decide to find a direct and physical way to express what a perfume means. A perfume usually has top notes, middle notes, and base notes. However, it’s always hard to recognize them all by only smelling it. Therefore, my goal is to find a way to visualize what scents contain in a perfume and present them as a common object.
I have three initial ideas. The first one is to keep the shape of the perfume bottle and fill in the shape with other materials that can reflect the layers of notes. The second idea is to have a 3D rectangular spectrum and to have different part of the spectrum representing different notes. The third idea is to simulate the form of flowers and to have different materials grow from the same root. I also got really great feedback from last week’s class saying I could have a perfume bag and attach 2.5D poem on the bag.
The perfume I chose to make Touch Object is BLANCHE by Byredo.
BLANCHE
- Top: Aldehyde, Rose Centifolia
- Heart: Peony, Violet
- Base: Musks, Sandalwood
Documentation:
I went to Michaels to get all the materials. When selecting materials at Michaels, I put their tactile impressions in the first place. I chose to use a silver plate to present the idea of ‘a dish of perfume’ because I think the process of making perfume is similar to cook. I chose different colors of polyester fabrics and foam sheets to make flowers as their tactile impression is close to the softness of petals.
To remind my audiences what this work is, I also included the name of the perfume ‘BLANCHE’ on the bottom part of the plate and the corresponding braille on the top. And here’s my final work!
Visual Description:
Materials:
- a silver plate
- polyester fabrics in rose red, pink and yellow
- a bath ball in light pink
- foam sheets in violet, blue, and light yellow
- extremely thin cotton threads
- chenille stems in dark brown
- mounting putty
- glue for jewelry
- double-sided tape
Reflection questions:
What is the theme of the work? What is it you aim to express?
The theme of the work is to visualize the scents of my favorite perfume BLANCHE by Byredo. I aim to show the ingredients contained in BLANCHE through a visual representation. Blanche explores the smell of texture and skin; bodies slipping beneath fresh sheets; laundry baskets filled to the brim; a punch of detergent. An aldehyde hit softens into delicate rose; through sandalwood and musk, the allure and intimacy of human touch.
How is that theme particularly expressed through the modality of the week?
This week’s modality is ‘touch’. When selecting materials at Michaels, I put their tactile impressions in the first place. I chose to use a silver plate to present the idea of ‘a dish of perfume’ because I think the process of making perfume is similar to cook. I chose different colors of polyester fabrics and foam sheets to make flowers as their tactile impression is close to the softness of petals. Also, I stuck the name BLANCHE at the bottom of the plate using silver crystal diamond stickers and its corresponding braille on the top of the plate.
Which elements of the work are beautifully/wonderfully/perfectly expressed through the modality?
I think the tactile impression, the theme of the work, and the visual are all beautifully expressed through the modality!
Which elements are lost or inexpressible through the modality of the week?
Actually I can’t think about any. I’m really satisfied with my outcome!
Who does this project exclude? Who would not be able to interact with this work ? Who is this modality not accessible for?
I think this project is quite inclusive! But if I can make any improvement, I would add sound to my work!