Smell-Blind

Mission: To create a concept olfactory exhibition at the Museum of Design (NYC).

What if we can see with our nose?

Inspired by the extraordinary work of Sissel Tolaas, Smell-Blind is an interactive olfaction experience designed to challenge the idea of seeing with one’s nose.

With projection mapping, I modified a Processing code that covered a room with thousands of vibrating light particles. This particle field represented all the invisible smell molecules in the space. With a Kinect sensor to track users’ positions, I hid easter eggs throughout the particle field that trigger appeared when users come upon them. When users encountered an easter egg, trigger events occurred (ie. a ring of light saying "sniff here”), inviting users to smell the specific part of the room.

As users waded through particles, they also encountered quotes from Tolaas that, of course, behaved like smells. When users approached the quotes, the quotes latched onto the user. When the users continued walking and surpassed a speed threshold, the quotes detached and remained there until someone else finds it—similar to how smells are take up space and linger. See footage below!

Installation

Exhibition Entrance A two-door entry inspired by our two nostrils — as if the exhibit is about to sniff you (and the logo) in. Projected particles represent the invisible smell molecules in the air around us. Also, notice the dark walls. I wanted to create an olfaction exhibit where the environment helps users focus on using their nose to navigate.

Exhibit Brochure
Of course, it is scented. — Exhibit Brochure Of course, it is scented.

Smell Library
Small sample of Sissel Tolaas’s enormous collection of captured smells. The bottles here contain anything from the smell of fear to smell of Mars. Users are welcome to sniff anything and everything they please. — Smell Library Small sample of Sissel Tolaas’s enormous collection of captured smells. The bottles here contain anything from the smell of fear to smell of Mars. Users are welcome to sniff anything and everything they please.

Installation Footage
Showcase of users wading through the installation of light particles and surprise easter eggs.

How It Works
1 Kinect sensor and projector is mounted on ceiling. 2 Sensor sees user and sends new data to computer. 3 Computer sends projector new imagery. — How It Works 1 Kinect sensor and projector is mounted on ceiling. 2 Sensor sees user and sends new data to computer. 3 Computer sends projector new imagery.

Ester Sans
Ester Sans is a custom typeface I designed based on the molecular structure of smell molecules. — Ester Sans Ester Sans is a custom typeface I designed based on the molecular structure of smell molecules.

Ester Sans In Use
Smell-blind spelled out with the new typeface. — Ester Sans In Use Smell-blind spelled out with the new typeface.

Tweaking Processing Code
Edited an existing Processing Code get the desired particle behavior. The cursor you see there represents the user. — Tweaking Processing Code Edited an existing Processing Code get the desired particle behavior. The cursor you see there represents the user.

Headspace Technology Poster
Celebrating the method used by smell scientists, like Sissel, to capture smell compositions within a given volume of air. — Headspace Technology Poster Celebrating the method used by smell scientists, like Sissel, to capture smell compositions within a given volume of air.

Exhibition Posters
One of my favorite quotes from Tolaas. — Exhibition Posters One of my favorite quotes from Tolaas.