IAO Archive: Inauguration and Party

We are excited to unveil the IAO Archive.

Over the past several years we have meticulously cataloged the data on thousands of books, perfumes, and aromatic objects. To celebrate this exhaustive work - and officially launch the IAO Archive, we're hosting a party (and fundraiser).

We are taking this opportunity to also introduce some of the contributors for Alabastron - a journal that explores scent's role in society and culture. As if that wasn't enough, we'll be fresh from the 10th Art and Olfaction Awards, and excited to present the finalists and winners!

Join us and help us celebrate a new resource for students of scent.

With special thanks to Imaginary Authors, Immortal Perfumes, and more to be announced.

Program

5- 6:15pm: Social Time
Enjoy special selections from the IAO Perfume Archive curated by Daniel Krasofski, smell the finalists and winners of the 10th Art and Olfaction Awards in the IAO Gallery, enjoy a drink, and make new friends.

6:15pm: Intro to Archive
Charles Rosenberg introduces the archive's collection of books relating to scent, with a brief introduction to the collection's intention, scope, and (nerds rejoice!) the Library of Congress classification system.

6:30pm: Author Readings
Saskia Wilson-Brown introduces Alabastron, with special readings from contributors Dana El Masri, Ryan Hanley, Se Young Au, and more to be announced

7:15pm: Social Time
Peruse the library, smell the finalists and winners for the Art and Olfaction Awards, and - importantly - make new friends.

About IAO Archive

The IAO Archive is a collection of objects that takes the form of books, perfumes, aromatic artifacts, scent wheels, board games, artist publications, and other scent-related ephemera.

The objects in the IAO Archive have been collected over the course of the Institute for Art and Olfaction's twelve years of operations, led by IAO founder Saskia Wilson-Brown, Minetta Rogers, and the rest of the IAO team. In early 2021, the library received a substantial influx of materials bequeathed by Conor McTeague – a friend of the IAO and an irreplaceable advocate for the artistry (and value) of perfume. It is in his honor that we embarked upon the project of cataloging his collection and incorporating it into our existing collection.

Between 2021 and 2023, a team of volunteers led by Daniel Krasofki painstakingly entered every bit of information that was publicly accessible. In 2022, the Archive was conceptually expanded with the insight of London-based strategist Anna Gerber, and in 2023, the team was joined by Charles Rosenberg. Starting as a volunteer before officially joining the team, Charles oversaw the process of organizing the collection of books into a formal library, using the Library of Congress Classification system.

The result is an interconnected constellation of objects and books dedicated to perfume – one of a few of its kind in the world.

Our collection currently holds:

1,330+ perfumes

585+ books and artist publications

75+ reference aromatics

+ View the collection data on Google Sheets

About Alabastron

Alabastron is a journal that bridges the gap between academia and the public to explore aromatic history and culture. Our aim is to create diverse and accessible learning environments in which to discuss how olfaction, Scent Culture, and aromatic trades shape the human experience.

Since the beginning of recorded history, humans have sought to control their sensory environment and express their values aromatically. They have augmented their olfactive habitat and realities for diverse reasons: cultural, religious, sociological, psychological, personal, commercial, and political, to name a few. Their motivations for doing so emerge from a complex web of personal, communal, and sensorial stimuli that reveal elements of universal human experiences.

Co-edited by Nuri McBride and Saskia Wilson-Brown
Learn more

Host or Publisher The Institute for Art and Olfaction