Tracing Perfume: A Genealogy of Woods, part 1 (in person)

Dana El Masri explores the history of fine fragrance through a series of classes that cover the genealogy of scent. How did aromatic materials influence perfumery? How did perfumers draw from the same source to produce such diverse expressions? Each class in this series explores the most important perfumes in 20th and 21st perfumery from the perspective of the materials that inform them.

In Woods Part 1, Dana covers soft woods such as cedarwood, guaiacwood, oakmoss, and sandalwood, exploring the materials provenance, aromatic aspects, and notable perfumes that make use of these materials. As a group, the class will also smell and discuss a series of notes and perfumes that elucidate the category.

TOPICS COVERED

• History and cultural impact of perfume materials
• Technical information about perfume materials
• Knowledge and experience with perfumery exercises
• Overview of these materials in classic, contemporary, mass market, and niche perfumes

Materials: There are no materials required for this class. The information and teaching materials presented in our classes are for educational purposes only. For more information about commercial best practices and safety, consult the relevant authorities in your country of residence.

Please read our cancellation policy (lower down on this page) before signing up!

ABOUT THE TRACING PERFUMES SERIES

Dana El Masri's perfume history and culture classes explore the genealogy of perfumery, and present a chance to explore perfume history through direct experience: Smelling the trajectory of a category in fine fragrance. Each session starts with an overview of the material, after which Dana shares a brief history and the cultural impact of the covered materials, as well as technical information such as extraction methods and countries of origin. The class then examines the classic, contemporary, mass market and niche applications of these materials by looking at (and smelling) important perfumes.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Dana El Masri is an Arab-Canadian perfumer & interdisciplinary artist.

She was trained at the Grasse Institute of Perfumery, with a BA in Communication Studies from Concordia University. The owner and creator of Jazmin Saraï, a perfume brand exploring scent, sound & culture, Dana is also an interdisciplinary artist with experience in several cross-modal practices and private label collaborations. She has worked with fellow perfumers, musicians, lifestyle brands, hotels, art spaces and more.

Dana has been an Art & Olfaction Awards judge for several years and is a published fragrance writer, winner of a Jasmine Literary Award (UK) and a Perfumed Plume Award (US). Her most recent interdisciplinary work has revolved around multi-sensory movement and synesthetic practice in a piece called Σmotion.

Her primary focus is on the importance of scent in social interaction, multicultural representation in perfumery, and public education on the world of scent.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Location: The IAO is wheelchair accessible. Note there is a small 1" lip at the threshold of the space. See how to find us and where to park here: http://artandolfaction.com/visit

Cancellation Policy

When we host a class or workshop, we often order the materials to be used in the class well in advance, based on how many people have signed up (and padding a bit for safety). We also use class proceeds to pay our teachers. Although we realize that life has a funny way of getting in the way of the best laid plans, as a small non-profit we cannot afford to carry the burden of lost proceeds and materials. With all that said, here’s our refund policy for in person classes!

– Cancellation with refund or credit requests made 1 week or more (7 days) before the scheduled session will be honored with gusto! We’ll miss you, but will 100% refund your spot.

– Refunds or class credits requested less than 7 days before the scheduled session: We will refund you 50% of your class fee. Why? Because we’ve already ordered the materials.

– Refunds or class credits requested less than 48 hours before the class, on the day of the class or after the class has happened will not be granted.

– Cancellations or refund requests must be made by email (hello@artandolfaction) or via the Eventbrite ‘request refund’ option.

Note also that event tickets are non-transferable.

Image credit: Cedrus libani foliage. Crusier, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

Host or Publisher The Institute for Art and Olfaction