Program ANR : « The Creation »
Project KÔDÔ
Olfaction and Creativity: from Koh-do towards contemporaneous artistic practices
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The French National Research Agency (ANR, France) supports our research program which aims to define the Aesthetics of Olfaction, in a double dimension of Creativity and Perception.
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Our model is the Kôdô ceremony (香道), a traditional japanese artistic practice during which participants "listen to" subtle differences of the odor of precious woods.
Largely inspired by Zen philosophy, the practice of this Art of smelling allows each individual to become more aware of himself and to find his way (dô: 道) by the scents (kô: 香).
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Three particular aspects are under study:
- Philosophy of Smell: Philosophical, historical and sociological conditions of emergence of this Art of smelling in Japan (directed by Chantal JAQUET)
- Neurophysiologiques Correlates: Neurophysiological mechanisms involved during this practice (directed by Didier TROTIER)
- Sense of Smell and Artistic Practices: Olfactory creativity and contemporary Arts (directed by Roland SALESSE)