The new technology allows storytellers to experiment by combining flavor with story.
Museum of moving image in new York (the Museum of Moving Image) organized an intriguing event, Sensory Stories (Sensual stories): an exhibition that demonstrates the emergence of new experiences while reading. A large group of specialists in art technologies was involved in the creation of the event. The creators of the exhibition sought to cover as much as possible the possibilities of modern technologies: virtual reality, experimental cinema, interface design, games and other developing media that make visitors think about how the narrative, accompanied by the fragrance, is transformed into feelings.
“Imagine an endless story with a set of visual images that evolve with you throughout your life” Charles Melcher
One of the works that drew our attention (or rather the nose) is Goldilocks and the Three Bears: the Smelly Version (Masha and the three bears are the olfactory version). This is the first olfactory tale (in the book, in the story you can feel the different flavors).
Charles Melcher, founder and head of the art technology team, shares his impressions of the future of storytelling:
- — Could you tell us about the importance of olfactory history and its potential?
We are currently in the primitive stage of digital storytelling. Comprehending the possibilities of human smell, we understand that the development of olfactory support can change our perception and become a decisive step in the virtual world. Such developments as “Masha and the three bears” move us in the direction of involving all feelings while reading the story. With this comes an additional opportunity to dive deep into the story. I believe that such a publication will lead to a more emotional narrative.
- – The fragrance evokes certain memories and feelings, which can be a good incentive for storytelling and the media in General. It is believed that the smells have a subjective assessment, Association and impressions of each person. Is it possible to cause the same reaction to the same flavors in a wide range of people?
In “Masha and the three bears” we have chosen universal flavors – lemon, chocolate, coffee, flowers – with which everyone is familiar. Olfactory experiences during reading will allow the reader to be inside the hero and with him to experience his emotions. Smells go directly to the brain without treatment. I feel that they are compatible, and there is a large field of activity to study their relationship. We used technology to Scratch and sniff when the rubbing surfaces fragrance. I feel like there’s an opportunity to create an aromatic track for a novel that could be as successful as a music track for a movie.
- – The emphasis on sensory history will develop our nose, because we are constantly exposed to a wide range of odors? Most people’s noses are asleep now, what happens when they Wake up?
With the development of literacy, people began to read more, produce more books, the number of words has increased significantly. The symbiosis of aroma and story will develop our noses and over time will allow us to distinguish much more smells and know perfectly the language of smell.
Future of StoryTelling exhibition will be held at Phi Centre in Montreal (Canada) from August 11 to September 27. The future of StoryTelling summit will be held on October 8 and 9 in new York.
