Olfactoric Memory 2007
Olfactoric Memory
WG terrain has a long history as a location for plague victims, and various different hospitals. The buildings of the terrain carry this history with them. I wanted reflect upon this history through the architecture of the terrain.
During the plague epidemics, vinegar had a specific role. It was used for disinfecting, and against the odour of illness. When entering the terrain, the doctors covered their faces with pieces of cloth which were soaked in vinegar, for self-protection. This also symbolises a much larger range of human actions. The original terrain has become a living-working terrain, through architectural changes. Many elements still remind us of its history, but their function has been changed and the ‘unwanted’ elements have been covered.
Instead of leaving the history behind, I wish to research this specific character of the terrain by creating a ‘multisensory’ memory. I have reacted to the architecture by dividing the passage into smaller spaces, with pieces of cloth which have been soaked in vinegar. The odour is not too strong, but recognisable. The movement of the cloth is connected to the movement of the people, walking in and out of the passage - like breathing.