John Waters’ 1981 release, Polyester, was the director’s first film with a feasible budget. For the B-list marvel, this meant a chance to experiment with the typical film viewing experience. In Waters’ scandalous nature, Odorama was devised, an olfactory gimmick that incorporated the sense of smell into cinema. In initial Polyester screenings, Odorama scratch-and-sniff cards were distributed and the audience members were instructed to sniff along to the corresponding numbers that appeared on the screen. In doing so, the audience whiffed on-screen odors in-sync with the film’s star Francine Fishpaw, played by Waters’ notorious muse, Divine.
What will you do?
With over three decades since the release of Polyester, Odorama cards are no longer easy to come by. In this experimental workshop, a concoction of scents will be created, emulating the 10 scents found on the original Odorama scratch-and-sniff card. Our scents will then be used in an interactive Polyester performance screening, on November 12th, an opportunity to experience the film in the original way John Waters intended. Let's make Smell-O-Vision!
The Odors from Polyester
The smells on the Odorama Card were as follows: 1. A rose flower. 2. Flatulence. 3. Model Airplane Glue. 4. Pizza. 5. Gasoline in a can. 6. Skunk. 7. Natural Gas from an oven. 8. A new car smell of leather upholstery. 9. Dirty shoes. 10. Air Freshener from an aerosol can.
Information
Workshop: Odorama Scent Creation
Saturday, 31st of October, 10.00 - 17.00
Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijksgracht 6, Amsterdam
Tickets: €15,00.
Please note that this workshop is in English