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Philosophy

The Aesthetics of Scent and the Philosophy of Olfactory Art

Quick fact

The philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, in his 'Diary of a Seducer', described the 'odor' as a medium that could produce 'an instant of pleasure,' but it wasn't until the late 20th century that artists like Sissel Tolaas began creating explicitly 'olfactory installations' in galleries, challenging the art world to accept a medium that cannot be seen or hung on a wall.

Why this is interesting

You might have heard of a painting or a symphony, but what about a 'scent artwork'? How can something that vanishes in seconds be considered art, and what does it mean for the philosophy of beauty?