During Art Basel Paris, Reference Studios unveiled Reference Times at Dover Street Parfums Market, marking the latest chapter in its olfactive project. The highlight of the launch is the collaboration with Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard, whose involvement adds a provocative, artistic edge to the series. This partnership represents the second edition of Reference Times, expanding the initiative’s ambition to explore scent as both an art form and a medium for personal expression.
Founder Mumi Haiati framed Reference Times as a platform that blends sensory experiences with memory, highlighting fragrance’s unique ability to conserve and evoke moments in time. This partnership with Melgaard during Art Basel elevates the project, emphasizing the intersection of contemporary art with personalized perfumery. “Scent,” Haiati explained, “is an ultimate means to conserve memories, and through collaborations like this, we create new ways to relive them.”
FRAGRANCES
The event also introduced the bespoke fragrance by NO/FAITH STUDIOS (NFS), crafted through EveryHuman’s advanced algorithmic technology. NFS founder Luis Dobbelgarten described the scent as a bold reflection of the brand’s intricate design identity, drawing parallels with their detailed leatherwork. He noted that while unconventional to outsiders, the fragrance aligns perfectly with the tastes of the brand’s dedicated following.
A pivotal element of the launch was EveryHuman’s compact Algorithmic Perfumery machine, which invites participants to create their own fragrances by customizing foundational scents with newly developed accords. Anahita Mekanik and Frederik Duerinck, the founders of EveryHuman, emphasized how this collaboration supports their goal of democratizing perfumery, transforming the process into an immersive, accessible art form for all.
Each fragrance is packaged in biodegradable, vacuum-sealed bags, paired with a symbolic object connected to the collaboration, all fastened with metal rings. The vacuum-sealed design reflects the preservation of memory, while the object serves as a lasting artistic memento, capturing the essence of the experience. This innovative packaging reflects the dual nature of Reference Times, where art meets function, inviting reinterpretation beyond the fragrance itself.
