8_Days__June_1_2017

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STORY
CELINE TAN
What does
teenage
consumerism
Is this art or is this perfume? These
cool scents housed in ‘medicine
bottles’ break boundaries.
smell like?
At first, we thought these perfumes were art. As
in, that the bottles and the packaging were works
of art. After all, the collection, titled “Sick Scents”, was
to be displayed at an art gallery. But this is actually
a series of seven real olfactory offerings (and also
works of art, of course) that are for sale, produced in
collaboration with scent mixologist Terry Jacobson.
It’s the brainchild (or nosechild?) of Singapore-based
British multi-media artist Mojoko, who tells us, “I chose
perfumes as they are such a powerful medium. I was
interested in the potential of using scent as an art form.
It’s fascinating the way fragrance can transport you to
memories and nostalgic ideas, but the creation of new
combinations and juxtapositions is just as interesting.
For example, mixing rose oil with bubblegum extract
gives you a very modern scent. Something reminiscent
of modern Asia.” Crazy and avant-garde as the perfumes
— which are all inspired by Asian hyper pop culture
— look, Mojoko says, “The scents are very wearable.
Some are stronger than others and work as real punchy
statement fragrances. If I had to choose a very wearable
scent, Mind Control and Psychotropics were very popular
with friends.”
Our favourite. Housed in a
bottle reminiscent of traditional
Chinese medicine oils, this is
called Pinkachu, and is inspired by
teenage consumerism. It's an ultra
candy pop scent that is a twist on
traditional rose oil, infused with
aromatic bubblegum oil.
This sexy offering, named Mind
Control, has musky oud oil blended
with other mysterious ingredients
to stimulate hypnosis in lovers.
A cheeky, anti-stress scent called
PsychoTropics, inspired by living in
the tropics of Southeast Asia. Expect
extracts of tropical citrus fruits and
oceanic notes, along with aromas of
jasmine and spice.
Sick Scents — A Fragrant Exhibition will be held from June 1
at Chan Hori Gallery, Gillman Barracks. The perfume works of
art, limited to 20 pieces each, are available for sale from $250
to $500. Find out more about customised scents at http://
oola-lab.com.
8 DAYS | 69