Light & Earth
Light & Earth began with a speculative question: When light is created in the cosmos — when galaxies ignite and stars are born — what would that moment smell like?
Developed in collaboration with perfumery artist Juanita Madden, the scent translates this cosmic event into an olfactory experience. At its core lies the smoky grey haze of vetiver, echoing primordial matter, while petitgrain and laurel leafglimmer as top notes, suggesting the first flashes of radiant clarity. Together, these elements balance grounding depth with luminous ascent, evoking the mystery of light’s emergence from darkness.
The work was exhibited in two distinct contexts: the intimate upstairs setting of ATELIER Studio|Gallery in Nelson, and the soaring interior of Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson, a fusion of Gothic Revival and modern design. In the gallery, the scent lingered closely, encouraging deepened breath and inward reflection. Within the Cathedral, it expanded as an ambient presence beneath stained glass and stone, a sensory underpinning to the luminous installation Luminary.
In both spaces, Light & Earth invited visitors to breathe in a threshold moment — the imagined fragrance of creation itself.
Installation Contexts
ATELIER Studio|Gallery, Nelson
Situated above Nelson’s main street, ATELIER is a not-for-profit gallery embedded in the city’s creative culture. In this elevated, intimate space, Light & Earth was encountered as a lingering, atmospheric presence. The scent enveloped visitors gently, aligning with ATELIER’s ethos that art nourishes, connects, and transforms. Here, the fragrance became a contemplative threshold, inviting a slowing of breath and an inward turn toward renewal.
Christ Church Cathedral, Nelson
Standing at the crown of Trafalgar Street, Nelson’s Anglican Cathedral is a striking blend of Gothic Revival vision and modern architecture. Its Takaka marble, soaring tower, and stained glass create an atmosphere of grandeur and calm. Within this vast, peaceful interior, Light & Earth expanded into an ambient presence alongside the luminous installation Luminary. The fragrance threaded quietly through the nave and aisles, grounding the immensity of the space and extending the work into the body through the ritual of breath.
Thematic Resonances
Cosmic Creation: An olfactory imagining of the birth of light — the scent of galaxies forming and stars igniting.
Elemental Duality: Smoky earth (vetiver) paired with bright green top notes (petitgrain, laurel) reflect the balance of matter and illumination.
Embodied Renewal: Visitors were invited to breathe deeply, experiencing renewal as a personal echo of cosmic genesis.
Site-Sensitive Presence: In both an intimate gallery and a monumental cathedral, the fragrance adapted to scale and architecture, linking earth, cosmos, and spirit.
