Roman Moriceau's Olfactory Critique of the Global Flower Market
The exhibition titled 'Our exquisite replica of « eternity »' by Roman Moriceau, held at Galerie Derouillon in Paris from November 15 to December 22, 2018, offers a critical perspective on the global flower market through an immersive installation. A decaying central bouquet activates a playlist of love songs, emphasizing the cultural importance of flowers. Moriceau examines the shift of flowers from medicinal uses to emotional commodities, now altered chemically and traded worldwide. The display includes silkscreens crafted from 'superfoods' such as acai and matcha, highlighting themes of speed versus preservation. Additionally, an artificial floral fragrance by perfumer Ilias Ermenidis prompts reflection on scent origins, while Moriceau draws on historical olfactory art and Yann Chateigné's press release referencing Claude Lévi-Strauss's views on indigenous plant respect.
Key facts
- Exhibition at Galerie Derouillon, Paris, from November 15 to December 22, 2018.
- Multisensory installation with a decaying central bouquet that triggers a playlist.
- Silkscreens use pigments from superfoods like acai, goji, chlorophyll, and matcha.
- Artificial scent created by perfumer Ilias Ermenidis.
- References to Walter de Maria, Meg Webster, Oswaldo Maciá, and Ernesto Neto.
- Press release text by Yann Chateigné invoking Claude Lévi-Strauss.
- Flowers are chemically modified and globally traded, criticized for bioethical disregard.
- Some pigment samples were left to mold; others fixed with resin.
Entities
Artists
- Roman Moriceau
- Walter de Maria
- Meg Webster
- Oswaldo Maciá
- Ernesto Neto
- Ilias Ermenidis
- Yann Chateigné
- Claude Lévi-Strauss
Institutions
- Galerie Derouillon
- artpress
Locations
- Paris
- France
Sources
- artpress —