In my collaboration with the gallery owner and curator Mrs Goar Sekhian Sanfilippo, I met someone who has the same passion for scent. For me as an artist, scent or ordour is a part of our perception. It was an area of interest that I pursued for a while during my studies. Now, when I met Goar Sekhian Sanfilippo at a conference in Bern, I remembered my work with the sensory perception of "scent".
At the same time, I am also fascinated by women in our society who follow their individual interests and thus establish themselves.
This meeting in Bern and our current collaboration gave rise to the idea for this interview, which provides an insight into my work with Goar Sekhian Sanfilippo, the founder of the concept of Perfumed Art.
Dear Goar, can you tell the readers about your background and how you came up with the idea of combining art with fragrance for an exhibition?
Dear Nora, thank you for the warm welcome! It’s a privilege to share this space with you for this conversation.
The genesis of melding art with fragrance was birthed within the confines of my professional sphere. It’s essential to note that both art and fragrances have been intertwined with my existence since childhood. Yet, my career trajectory for two decades was anchored in international trade, a field seemingly distant from these passions. The epiphany to fuse visual and olfactory pleasures arose from the strains of an unfulfilling work environment.
My tenure at a trading firm, within the starkness of an open-space office, challenged my notions of resilience. It wasn’t the pressures of the job but the sensory disruptions — the “olfactory noise” and a stark lack of visual allure — that eroded my productivity. Encased by bland walls and unwelcome odours, I found myself yearning for an escape.
This longing for aesthetic and aromatic stimulation became my muse. I envisioned an art piece on the barren wall beside me and a fragrance that could transport me from the drab confines of the trading floor. This wasn’t just a fleeting daydream; my deep-rooted appreciation for art and scent fueled this aspiration.
This vision eventually materialized, thanks to collaborating with gifted artists who dared to infuse their creations with scent, pushing the boundaries of their craft. This blend of art and fragrance wasn’t merely a personal sanctuary; it became a tangible reality, marrying my lifelong passions with my professional world in an unexpected symphony.
How should we imagine the encounter with a perfume-combined work?
The creation of perfumed art is deeply personal and tailored, with my role being more of a conduit than a direct influencer. My background in art and olfactory senses serves as a foundation, yet it’s the immersive study of an artist’s portfolio that truly sparks my creativity. Every brushstroke, color palette, and technique of the artist acts as a catalyst, igniting my visual and olfactory imagination.
This process is collaborative at its core. As I delve into the nuances of an artist’s work, the interplay of visuals and scents begins to take shape in my mind, forming the initial concept of a collection. It’s a dialogue of inspiration, where my insights and the artist’s vision converge to conceptualize a collection that is not just seen but experienced through scent.
This shared journey of creativity paves the way for the artist to craft a collection that transcends traditional art, inviting viewers into a multisensory experience where fragrance complements form, enriching the narrative and emotional depth of each piece.
And what kind of perfume is it?
The selection of perfumes is intricately aligned with the essence of the artist’s work, where the hues, figures, forms, shapes, and dynamics within the artwork guide my olfactory choices. These elements coalesce into a singular sensory blueprint, etched firmly within my mind.
It’s important to emphasize that the perfumes showcased at exhibitions serve merely as illustrative examples for attendees. The core of our perfumed art concept lies in personalization and choice. Viewers are invited to not only connect with the visual aspect of the art but to also infuse it with a more intimate, personal layer by selecting a scent. This could be their own signature perfume or a fragrance that holds significance to someone dear to them.
This integration allows for a unique synthesis where the chosen artwork is not just visually captivating but also intimately connected to the viewer’s or their loved one’s olfactory identity, enriching the overall experience and creating a deeply personal connection with the art.
What are the sources of inspiration for your work?
Drawing inspiration from the artist’s creations is an aspect of my work that I hold in high esteem. Collaborating with these talented individuals is not just a privilege but an enriching journey that extends beyond the realm of art. It’s a process that fosters a deep, reciprocal inspiration, fuelling both our creative endeavours and enhancing the artwork we set out to create together.
Moreover, these collaborations shine a light on the beauty of human connection. The exchange of ideas, the shared moments of breakthrough, and the mutual respect and admiration that develop through the course of our work together underscore the profound impact of these relationships. They transcend mere artistic collaboration, evolving into a celebration of the human spirit and the bonds that tie us together in our quest for beauty and expression.
How do you position yourself as a collaborator and gallery owner in the artistic work presented?
Building on what I shared earlier, the culmination of our collaborative efforts—the artist’s work—emerges as a manifestation of our shared vision and inspiration. This creative synergy often results in a collection that is akin to a “newborn,” crafted with care, passion, and a deep-seated connection between all involved.
As the relationship between the gallery owner and the artist evolves through this process, it transcends traditional professional boundaries. It blossoms into a creative friendship, where mutual respect, understanding, and shared aspirations form the cornerstone. This unique bond not only enriches the art but also adds a layer of depth and intimacy to the collection, making each piece a testament to the collaborative spirit and the profound connections formed along the journey.
What messages are you trying to communicate with your curatorial work? And what do you think differentiates your approach from others?
The guiding principle that has steered my journey in the art world were my father’s wise words: “Art is noble, you can learn everything but art should be in your blood.” This profound belief has been the bedrock of my endeavours since I embarked on organizing art exhibitions in 2017. My singular goal was to offer artists a platform to showcase their work, without any selection criteria, providing them with the opportunity to exhibit their art in a prestigious venue in Luzern, thanks to a philanthropic collaboration with Chateau Gütsch castle/hotel under management of the previous director.
Inspired by this initial venture, in 2018, I founded Perfume Art Creation with a dedicated focus on perfumed art. This initiative was aimed at redefining the essence of artistic expression by incorporating olfactory elements, thereby unveiling the artists’ talents in an innovative manner. Each artist involved brings their unique technique and style to the fore, contributing to the evolution of perfumed art as a distinctive genre within the realm of contemporary art. This endeavour not only celebrates the sensory fusion of scent and sight but also champions the individuality and creativity of each artist we collaborate with.
How do you position yourself as a collaborator and gallery owner within existing categories like digital art or contemporary art?
Perfumed art represents an innovative frontier within contemporary art, marking a distinct departure from historical instances where olfactory elements subtly intertwined with artistic expressions, but never as directly correlated as they are now. Our gallery stands out for its creative ethos, diverging from the conventional gallery model focused primarily on art curation and sales.
Our core mission is to foster creation and innovation, encouraging artists to explore new dimensions in their work. This creative journey is paramount, with the commercial aspect of selling art taking a secondary role. We see ourselves not merely as art dealers but as art creators, facilitators of a process that brings novel and sensory-enriched art to the forefront.
This approach underlines our commitment to expanding the boundaries of art and offering unique experiences that challenge and engage the senses in unprecedented ways.
How do you select the artists and what is really important to you in terms of an artist's approach?
As I’ve touched upon previously, the creative process we engage in significantly transforms the dynamics between the gallerist and the artist, often leading to a deep-seated friendship. Such a bond is predicated on unwavering trust, forming the foundation for a lasting relationship. In the realm where galleries and artists intersect, while talent undeniably plays a critical role, the core human values of respect, loyalty, honesty, and creativity hold paramount importance.
I approach all my professional relationships with sincerity, transparency, and a forthright attitude. It is essential for these fundamental values to be reciprocated and upheld. Should there be any deviation from these principles, our paths diverge swiftly and decisively. This stance underscores the significance I place on maintaining a circle of collaboration characterized by mutual respect and integrity, ensuring that our shared journey in the art world is not only productive but also deeply meaningful.
Since you founded the 2020 concept in Zurich, you have already opened new galleries in Venice and Paris. Can you share with us some experiences of how the collaboration with the artists’ works? Are there specific things that work very well and those that don't?
The initiation of a collaboration often sparks from a serendipitous encounter between two individuals at an art event, effortlessly conversing in the universal language of art. Once this connection is established and the dialogue flows naturally, partnerships can form almost instantaneously. Interestingly, I’ve observed that collaborations with established and renowned artists tend to materialize more smoothly compared to those with emerging artists. The seasoned artists possess an innate ability to convey and interpret artistic concepts with minimal words, a testament to their extensive experience and fluency in the art world’s nuances.
Every locale brings its own unique flavour to the art scene, and for us, Venice holds a special place. My husband and I were merely 21 when we first visited Venice and found ourselves captivated by the majestic Scuola Grande di San Rocco. The profound spirit and philosophy of this place inspired a heartfelt vow between us: to one day emulate the Venetian middle-class families’ tradition of nurturing young talent in the arts. Fulfilling this aspiration, we inaugurated our first international gallery in Venice in April 2022.
A year later, a fortuitous opportunity arose to acquire a gallery in Paris, nestled in the Village Suisse at 78 Avenue de Suffren, a stone’s throw from iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais. The prospect of establishing a presence in such a prestigious location was beyond our wildest dreams. Yet, life has a way of unfolding seamlessly when the time is right, turning once distant dreams into reality with astonishing ease.
What is your focus with curating an exhibition?
Our galleries in Zürich, Venice, and Paris are abuzz with activity, hosting new exhibitions bi-monthly. Each collection is personally curated by me, a responsibility I cherish deeply. It’s a privilege to intersect paths with such incredibly talented and creative artists, which in turn, enriches my own creative journey immeasurably.
Running a burgeoning gallery demands an immense commitment, often translating into 16-hour workdays that intertwine with family life. Such a rigorous schedule is sustainable only because of the joy and fulfilment derived from working alongside individuals who inspire and invigorate me daily.
Recently, we celebrated the opening of “25th TWENTY FIVE,” a solo exhibition by the Luzerner painter and tenor Sergey DUBROFF in Zollikerberg. This captivating showcase is available for viewing by appointment until May 31, 2024.
Looking ahead, the next weekend promises another exciting chapter as I head to Paris. We’re relocating the current solo exhibition of the French artist designer Nathalie MONNIER to Grenoble. This move is in preparation for our participation in the Grenoble Art UP, from April 4 to 7, 2024. This event marks the inaugural Contemporary Art Exhibition in Grenoble, where we’ll present “L’EDEN retrouvé,” a collaborative exhibition featuring the works of Nathalie Monnier, Nadège Dupont, and Sylvain Dautremay.
Do you have any exhibition or collaboration in the future you would like to share with our readers?
An exciting and significant exhibition is on the horizon in Venice, where we will be inaugurating the Venice Biennale at our permanent gallery with the exceptionally talented NORA PAPP from Zürich. This exhibition is set to be a unique fusion, showcasing a dialogue between Nora’s artistic prowess and the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence. It aims to serve as a playful nod (“clin d’oeil”) to the idea of collaboration, transcending the boundaries between human and non-human entities.
This event promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of art and technology, challenging traditional notions and inviting a wide array of interpretations. It’s a testament to our commitment to pushing the envelope and exploring new frontiers in the art world.
We invite you to stay engaged with our journey and to reach out if you wish to experience this ground-breaking exhibition or any of our showcases in Zürich or Paris. Whether by phone or email, we are ready to facilitate your visit and ensure a memorable experience at any of our gallery locations.
You are welcome!
It was truly a pleasure to share insights and discuss our endeavours in the art worlds. Thank you for the engaging conversation. I wish you a flourishing journey ahead filled with creativity, inspiration and success.