Lisa Hennig-Olsen

Heritage – The Essence of Now is a sensory experience focusing on the relationship between the present moment and the past, and its relation to the sense of smell. Our sense of smell is famously known for being closely connected to memory. In addition, it brings you into the immediate present. And so, the artist wants to create presence and travel simultaneously, in order to create reflections on heritage, identity, birth and existence.

The audience is invited to step into a scented space, an installation featuring a glass and metal sculpture, combining the fragile and the strong. The unique scent was created based on the DNA of the artist. A DNA test was carried out prior to starting the project. The test results showed three strands; the places of origin, forming one identity. Investigating these locations, specific essences native to these exact places were picked out and blended together to form a perfume. The perfume was created with assistance from London-based Maya Njie Perfumes.

Forming an abstract womb, the live part of the installation – and the live-to-camera work found in the related magazine and online portfolio – is performed inside a skin-matching sheer fabric. A red thread weaves its way through the fabric as an umbilical cord, rounding the concept of birth and existence.