Perfume Playbook: Scents from the Crypt (in person)

Daniel Krasofski presents an analytical perfume-evaluation class exploring unusual materials and strange scents from the IAO collections.
About this Event

Daniel Krasofski presents an analytical perfume-evaluation class exploring unusual raw materials and strange scents from the IAO archive, because sometimes a perfectly nice fragrance needs a little menace.

What makes a scent feel strange, unsettling, playful, or just a little bit haunted? In this Halloween-season edition of Perfume Playbook: Evaluation, an Analytical Technique, participants will smell and evaluate an unusual selection of raw materials alongside perfumes from the IAO archive, including scents connected to The Nightmare Before Christmas, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Disney. Rather than making a fragrance, we will focus on close smelling, descriptive precision, and the useful art of turning “oh no, what is that?” into analytical language. Together, we will consider materials and finished perfumes through vocabulary, structure, association, intensity, and emotional effect- yes, there will be graphs; no, they will not bite. Participants will document their impressions using guided evaluation tools, building a clearer understanding of how unusual scents communicate character, atmosphere, story, and the occasional whiff of mischief.

Topics covered:

• Analytical perfume evaluation and descriptive vocabulary
• Smelling unusual raw materials and identifying their key olfactory qualities
• Evaluating finished perfumes from the IAO archive
• Comparing raw materials with composed fragrances
• Using graphs and structured note-taking to record sensory impressions
• Describing atmosphere, narrative, character, and emotional response through scent

Take-Aways:

• A practical framework for evaluating perfume with greater clarity and specificity
• Expanded vocabulary for discussing unusual, challenging, and imaginative scents
• Completed evaluation graphs and scent observations
• Greater confidence articulating personal responses to raw materials and perfumes
• Insight into how fragrance can support world-building, storytelling, and character

Safety Note:

Some aromatic materials can have side effects when applied to skin. The information and teaching materials presented in our classes are for educational purposes only. These are not intended for commercial use and do not necessarily reflect commercial best practices or industry safety standards. For more information about commercial best practices and safety, consult the relevant authorities in your country of residence.

Attendance and Refund Policy: This is an in person class that will take place at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. Cancellation with refund made 1 week or more (7 days) before the scheduled session will be honored unless materials or formulas have been shared in advance. Refunds requested 1 week or less before the class starts, on the day of the class or after the class has happened will not be granted. Please note our cancellation policy, listed here and on the registration/ticketing page: https://artandolfaction.com/educationatiao/cancellation-policy/

This Workshop is Good for: Beginners, advanced beginners, intermediate

On Safety: Some aromatic materials can have side-effects when applied to skin. The information and teaching materials presented in our classes are for educational purposes only. These are not intended for commercial use and do not necessarily reflect commercial best practices or industry safety standards. For more information about commercial best practices and safety, consult the relevant authorities in your country of residence.

Registration Required: Please note that you must reserve your space in advance. If you just show up without reserving a spot, there is no guarantee we will be able to accommodate you. Space at this event is limited. All levels are welcome, but this session is 18 and up (or 14+, with adult supervision).

LOCATION

Location: We are located in Los Angeles’ historic Chinatown neighborhood, on a pedestrian street that also hosts galleries, souvenir shops, production companies, design studios, and two very cool parrots.

Street Address: 932 Chung King Road Los Angeles CA. 90012 (213) 616-1744 [email protected]

To find us: Chung King Road is a pedestrian-only road that runs parallel to Hill Street, between Hill St and Yale St. See more information here: http://artandolfaction.com/visit

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Daniel Krasofski is a Los Angeles–based artist and perfumer whose multidisciplinary practice explores memory, ritual, and the transformative power of scent.

Trained in both the visual and olfactory arts, Krasofski teaches at the Institute for Art and Olfaction and has shared his approach to perfume education in academic and international settings, including the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

Krasofski began his involvement in the IAO in 2013, when he came as a volunteer to help set up the very first space in downtown Los Angeles. Since then, he has served as a board member, educator, and overall friend to the organization. In 2020, he took on the role of lab manager, stepping in with his characteristic organizational prowess to formalize the IAO’s complicated systems, while also overseeing the formation of the IAO Library, including logging more than a thousand perfumes donated by Conor McTeague.

His research bridges history, material culture, and the emotive language of aromatic compounds. Working closely with private clients to create bespoke olfactory compositions, Krasofski’s work often combines traditional craft materials—such as leather, metal, and plant essences—with contemporary inquiries into literature, healing, and the unseen narratives that scent evokes.

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Image credits: Daniel Krasofki by Indah Datau.
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