During the exhibition opening, the creative team behind Listening to Scents presented a live performance featuring the creation of a traditional incense seal and the lighting of agarwood incense, accompanied by improvised singing bowl music. Through the interplay of sight, sound and scent, the performance created a tranquil atmosphere and invited audiences into a contemplative multisensory experience.
DECEMBER 02, 2023
Listening to Scents | Great Sounds Seek Silence Exhibition
We hope to create a peaceful meditation space filled with the gentle fragrance of agarwood and the soothing sound of singing bowls. Through visual guidance, visitors are invited to connect their senses and enter the artistic world of “Listening to Incense.”
Exhibition Information
Exhibition
Great Sounds Seek Silence
Date
24–30 November 2023
Venue
St. James' Hatcham Church, London
Artwork Performance
25–26 November 2023 · 16:00–16:30
Opening Performance
Work Introduction
Listening to Scents is a unique Chinese aesthetic tradition that brings together the senses of smell and sound. Although incense is usually experienced through fragrance rather than hearing, ancient Chinese scholars believed that incense could also be “listened to.”
This idea is not about mixing up the five senses. As Yuan Dynasty scholar Ye Yong explained, “Listening depends not on the ears, but on the heart.” In this context, “listening” goes beyond physical hearing and refers to a deeper form of inner appreciation and reflection.
Ancient Chinese thinkers believed that the senses are only a way to connect with the world. The true essence and beauty of things can only be understood through the heart and mind. In this way, Listening to Scents represents an artistic experience that moves beyond ordinary perception and invites a deeper connection with oneself and the surrounding world.
Creative Team
Yiwei Chen
Yiwei Chen is a lecturer and master’s supervisor at South China Agricultural University (SCAU) and an academic visitor at University College London (UCL) with a focus on smellscape and Chinese traditional olfactory aesthetics and incense culture.
Man Luo
Man Luo is a lecturer at Zhejiang University of Science & Technology (ZUST) with a focus on soundscape, Chinese traditional auditory aesthetics and music culture.
Qianxi Zhang
Qianxi Zhang is a lecturer at NingboTech University and a visiting researcher at University College London (UCL) with a focus on healing environment and playscape.
Closing Reflection
Listening to Scents was an experiment shaped by intuition and curiosity. From directing the movement of smoke and composing the visual imagery to recording the accompanying sound, every stage of the process embraced a degree of spontaneity. The work is far from perfect, yet its imperfections reflect a sense of honesty that we chose to preserve. By allowing the creative process, the artwork itself and the audience experience to remain authentic, we hoped to return to the essence of perception. This pursuit of authenticity is ultimately what Listening to Scents seeks to convey.
Acknowledgments
Listening to Scents came to life through the support and contributions of many individuals. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Julia for the invitation, Michael for his assistance with the exhibition space, Yu zewen for the poster design and exhibition model, and Jason and Xilan Wu for documenting the exhibition through photography.