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Scent in the Context of Live Performance
1Crossmodal Research Laboratory, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
I-Perception
|February 22, 2021
Summary
Scent has been intentionally used in live performances since ancient rituals, evolving from an atmospheric cue to a narrative element. Modern immersive events see a resurgence in scent use, differing from cinematic applications.
Area of Science:
- Performing Arts
- Sensory Studies
- Cultural History
Background:
- Ambient smell has historically been an inherent aspect of live performance.
- The deliberate use of scent in performance traces back to early rituals and has evolved significantly over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical trajectory of scent's application in live performance.
- To analyze the diverse roles of olfactory elements, from atmospheric cues to narrative devices.
- To compare scent delivery methods in theatrical versus cinematic contexts.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of scent usage in performance.
- Analysis of scent's function as an atmospheric, mnemonic, and narrative tool.
- Comparative study of scent integration in theatre and cinema.
Main Results:
- Scent has been employed since Shakespearean times for mood, memory, and narrative.
- Olfactory stimulation has played critical evaluative roles in theatre, opera, and other live arts.
- Recent trends show a rise in multisensory immersive events utilizing scent, often with low-tech solutions in live settings.
Conclusions:
- Scent's role in performance is multifaceted, spanning illustrative and evaluative functions.
- Live performance contrasts with cinema in its approach to scent delivery, favoring low-tech solutions.
- There is a growing interest in leveraging scent for enhanced audience experience in contemporary performance.
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