In her quest to capture the essence of Bengaluru, artist Indu Antony has embarked on a unique olfactory art project titled Vasané, which translates to “smell” in Kannada, the local language of the city. This endeavor aims to chronicle the various scents that define the urban landscape and evoke the memories and emotions associated with them.
Antony’s inspiration for Vasané stemmed from her own recollection of visiting Church Street two decades ago when she first arrived in Bengaluru. She vividly remembers the vibrant atmosphere, with young people dressed to impress, strolling along the street, hoping to catch someone’s eye. The air was filled with both romance and tension, and the lingering scent of charred cigarettes added a distinctive layer to the experience.
Drawing on the power of smell as a potent trigger of memories and emotions, Antony conceived Vasané as a multi-faceted project encapsulated within a limited-edition book. The book’s contents are carefully curated to provide a sensorial journey through the city’s scents, offering a unique perspective on Bengaluru’s cultural fabric.
One section of the book features a postcard, acting as a visual representation of Church Street, capturing the essence of that bygone era when people would dress up and saunter along the bustling road, seeking attention and connection. The postcard serves as a reminder of the nostalgia associated with that time, conjuring up images and emotions long forgotten.
Central to Vasané are small vials of scent, meticulously crafted to replicate the olfactory notes of Bengaluru. These vials contain a diverse range of fragrances, each representing a different facet of the city. From the earthy aroma of freshly brewed filter coffee to the pungent scent of spices wafting from local eateries, each vial transports the reader on a fragrant journey through Bengaluru’s bustling streets.
Accompanying the scent vials is a scent map of the city, allowing readers to visually explore the locations associated with each fragrance. This map acts as a guide, inviting individuals to retrace the steps taken during the creation of Vasané, and encouraging them to discover these scents firsthand in the context of their surroundings.
Complementing the tangible elements of the project are Antony’s research notes, which provide insights into her creative process, the historical and cultural significance of each scent, and the personal anecdotes and memories that shaped the project. These notes offer a deeper understanding of the artistic intentions behind Vasané, enhancing the overall experience for the reader.
Through Vasané, Indu Antony has transformed the intangible nature of smell into a tangible and immersive artistic exploration of Bengaluru. By capturing the scents that define the city, she invites readers to engage with their own memories, emotions, and experiences, fostering a deeper connection to the urban environment they inhabit. Vasané stands as a testament to the power of scent to evoke nostalgia, evoke emotions, and shape our perception of the world around us.