The Triangle

Issue date: 5/23/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Oswaldo Maciá "1 Woodchurch Road, London NW6 3PL," an installation piece by Maciá, encourages visitors to lift off the lids to each trashcan. Try to figure out the contents­ - you'll be surprised by what you smell inside.

When I think of art galleries in Philadelphia, my mind is immediately drawn to Old City and Northern Liberties. Yes, Center City and other areas have its share of galleries, but the monthly First Friday events primarily take place between Second and Third streets north of Market Street. Aside from Drexel, the University of Pennsylvania, the Institute of Contemporary Art and Penn's Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, University City does not give me the impression of a district dedicated to presenting artistic development as opposed to scientific and educational advancements. But with the Ester M. Klein Art Gallery located at 3600 Market St. along the Avenue of Technology, University City can surely be associated with progressive art in Philadelphia.

I ventured over to the Ester M. Klein Art Gallery May 20 to experience their latest exhibit, "Odor Limits." In a collaboration between University City's Science Center and the Monell Center, the exhibit features mind-blowing multimedia highlighting olfactory art.

Olfactory art, which pertains to the sense of smell in conjunction with visual aesthetics, was a relatively odd term when I first heard of the concept. But after viewing "Odor Limits," I completely understand how the artists, scientists and curators working on the exhibit could connect sight and smell to "prompt thought-provoking insights into cultural differences, environmentalism, personal identity, spirituality and the philosophy of the body."

Curated by Jim Drobnick and Jennifer Fisher of Toronto's DisplayCult, "Odor Limits" features several pieces from four international artists, Oswaldo Maciá (London), Jenny Marketou (Athens/New York), Chrysanne Stathacos (Toronto/New York) and Clara Ursitti (Glasgow). These artists provide a balanced mix of art, technology and innovation, catering to the interests of any person venturing through University City, or our nation, for that matter.

On the subjects displayed at the Klein Gallery, Fisher said, "Because scent is unexpected in the visual art experience, it can give rise to works with a surprising element of directness and complexity."

Continued...

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