Leather is incredibly prevalent in our sensory lives. Our couches, shoes and wallets are often made from this material. But what about its smell? One could describe it as having a dark, intriguing odor. Like almonds perhaps, or bees-wax, or even tar. However you describe it, its distinct smell is printed onto our memory.
On the 27th, Justus Tomlow will reveal the secret scent of leather. Dr. Daniel Soliman takes us back to the times when pulverized Egyptian mummies were used in medicine. We explore a zero-waste method of creating leather from cow intestines with Billie van Katwijk. And we join Mr. Leather Europe 2017 (Raymond Timmer) in a conversation about the symbolism of leather in the fetish community.
This edition of Odorama is curated by Frank Bloem. Odorama is a concept by head curator Caro Verbeek and a collaboration with co-curators Frank Bloem and Sanne Groeneveld.
Justus Tomlow
Justus Tomlow is a researcher and designer at the Reframing Studio in Amsterdam.
As a designer - aware that a lot of the world is created - he was very surprised to find out that the familiar smell of leather, is actually an added synthetic scent. Intrigued by this evolution from hand made scent to a smell thought of as inherent to the material, he traces how this aroma has been a shape-shifter throughout the ages. starting a complete new kind of perfume industry on its way. Come smell how an historical Peau d’Espagne or Cuir de Russie smells compared to a “leather” perfume today.
Dr. Daniel Soliman
Last Odorama we looked at the Egyptians, world's first perfumers, who not only used perfume for their religious offerings, but also used essential oils to embalm their kings. Dr. Daniel Soliman will dive even deeper into Egyptian history, where pulverized skin from mummies was used in medicine and even in perfume.
Billie van Katwijk
An everyday by-product of the meat industry gets a luxurious afterlife, thanks to the innovative handling of undervalued organic materials. Artist Billie van Katwijk will show us how something that is considered waste in many countries is given a new and much higher value through the action of design.
"I hope that, seduced by its beauty, people are aware of it being a cow stomach and inspire a conversation about the value of under-appreciated and everyday materials."
Raymond Timmer
Frank Bloem will interview Mr. Leather Amsterdam 2017, Raymond Timmer, and try to unravel the double standard we as a society hold about leather. Why is this material hypersexualised? Why is it assigned the label of a fetish? They will also discuss Mr. Timmer's work with raising awareness of STDs, and using his title to alleviate the shame that comes with fetishes.
Information
Odorama: Leather
Thursday, the 27th of June
Start 20.30
Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijksgracht 6, Amsterdam
Tickets: Full price €7,50 | Artist / Student €5,25 | +€2,50 at the door | (including €1 administration fee)
*We give a discount to students and artists. If this applies to you we will ask to see your kvk nr/portfolio or student card for this option. For questions please send an email to mail@mediamatic.nl.
You will receive a 25% discount on our 3-course menu at Mediamatic ETEN upon presentation of your ticket! Only valid on day of event.
