Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard’s perfume-heavy exhibition at VI, VII marks a new chapter in his storied career
What does Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard’s work smell like? For his latest exhibition, Abuse is the Beauty of the Working Class, at VI, VII gallery in Oslo, one can find out. Collaborating with artist and olfactory expert Bjørn Kristian Hilberg (best known for his perfume company, Malbrum), Melgaard has crafted three scents, which are showcased in the gallery via 300 hand-painted perfume bottles. “I love fragrances and have been interested in them for a long time,” says Melgaard. In fact, the artist recently collaborated with Reference Studios on a dog-scented fragrance (French bulldog and Chinese crested mix, specifically), which launched at Dover Street Market during Art Basel Paris. This time around, however, the fragrances explore the “idea of an individual”. “Something wearable and high end to honour a person that I’ve known,” he says.
The resulting fragrances are “raw and unpolished”, ranging from the delicate 'Joey' fragrance, named for the late gay porn actor Joey Stefano (a close personal friend of Melgaard’s) to the heavier 'Stabfrenzy Forever' (“think amber-y and woody base notes, with a long-lasting, musky presence,” says Melgaard). A fourth fragrance is being developed in the gallery, throughout the duration of the show.