Credits: Ars Electronica (flap)
Credits: Ars Electronica (flap)
This installation explores the transformative progress of mental health methods, propelled by technological innovations that amplify therapeutic outcomes in the year 2055.
In the past, recreating memories in virtual reality involved a significant collaborative effort from programmers, 3D designers, sound designers, and many others, working non-stop to simulate a single memory. This laborious and expensive process often led to inaccuracies, as memories undergo natural changes over time. Moreover, the high costs associated with this method limited access to only a privileged number of people.
A revolutionary element that changed traditional virtual reality (VR) therapy came with the integration of olfactory nanobots, the latest innovation in mental health treatment. These nanobots have the remarkable ability to rapidly induce a trance-like state on patients, facilitating a journey through their episodic memories. Thus, the days of laborious reconstructions in VR, which required extensive resources and endless hours of work for a single memory, are becoming a thing of the past.
Fragrancy-Forged Memoryscapes invites you to discover the democratization of therapy in the age of technology. Our installation highlights the power of the olfactory sense to unlock the corridors of the mind, and bring to light memories that originate in various places in Timișoara.
Fragrancy-Forged Memoryscapes was also exhibited at Ars Electronica in 2024.
How does it work?
Stage 1: Approach one of the three workbenches.
Stage 2: Drop 1-2 drops of liquid on the tester available on the desk, using the dropper bottle. (the perfume was handcrafted to match the real smell of the locations)
Stage 3: Focus on the perceived smell.
Stage 4: Place the tester in front of the sensor, making sure it is properly positioned.positioned.
Stage 5: The smell will trigger the sensor and as a result, the evoked memory of that place will start playing.
Stage 2: Drop 1-2 drops of liquid on the tester available on the desk, using the dropper bottle. (the perfume was handcrafted to match the real smell of the locations)
Stage 3: Focus on the perceived smell.
Stage 4: Place the tester in front of the sensor, making sure it is properly positioned.positioned.
Stage 5: The smell will trigger the sensor and as a result, the evoked memory of that place will start playing.