VIA FERRATA - THE GIVENCHY OLFACTORY WORKSHOP

From 25th to 30th October 2021

In the context of the partnership between Givenchy and the Paris Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Paris, 23 students on the Via Ferrata programme were invited to take part in a unique experience: working on an artistic production with a scent as a starting point.

The students are immersed in the world of perfume for one week. A week in which to create a work of art using as the starting point L'Interdit Eau de Parfum. This iconic Givenchy perfume is characterised by white floral notes – orange blossom, jasmine, and tuberosa – which mingle with the dark and more raw tones of vetiver and patchouli. L'Interdit Eau de Parfum invites one to exceed one's own limitations, to step outside convention, and elegantly to assume one's individuality. A note rich in inspiration for the students.

​In order to guide them in their production, the students were able to exchange ideas with experts in perfume creation. They also had the opportunity to take part in an olfactory workshop organised by the Givenchy teams, and to discuss with Fanny Bal, the perfumer who was involved in the creation of L'Interdit Eau de Parfum.

In parallel with this, the students discovered or rediscovered the works of artists who have used scent as a material for creation and reflection. Throughout the week, they were also accompanied by the artist, Antoine Renard, who is writing a thesis on olfaction and who creates olfactory sculptures – some of which have been exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo  in Paris. Antoine Renard supported the students in their reflections and in the transformation of their ideas into substantive projects.

A number of productions have already been created. These will be exhibited at the end of the academic year, together with other works created by the students throughout the year.