Perfume of pigs

Parfume from pigs: saleable?

The smell of pig manure causes a nuisance in some areas of northern Limburg. Could you also turn the smell of pigs into a saleable concept? Artist Cathalijne Smulders and scent designer and architect Tanja Schell started a research project in which they, together with farmers and other parties involved, mapped out the smells on and around the pig farm. The result: Perfume Pig.

Not only the smell of the manure of pigs, but also of their skin, body or feed, were the inspiration. In extensive scent walks with farmers and local residents Cathalijne Smulders (1979) brought stories and feelings to the surface.
What smell 'fits' or 'belongs' to the countryside? What does the farmer think about that, and what do his neighbors think about that? Smelling together and talking about it can trigger a different, deeper contact.

Artwork in edition

The perfume is for sale as a work of art in an edition of 25. The fragrance product consists of a balm based on pig lard. Together with a publication by Akiko Wakabayashi, Perfume Pig is on sale for € 153.55: the current price a farmer gets for a pig ready for slaughter.

Sustainability

Parfume Pig is part of the Circular Art Lab Limburg (CALL). This initiative of Museum van Bommel van Dam and Municipality Venlo linked artists and designers to sustainability issues. One of the calls focused on stimulating nature-inclusive agriculture. Perfume Pig uses scent to start the conversation about agriculture and to explore alternative experiences and scenarios together with those involved. The process was guided by a working group in which Het Limburgs Landschap Foundation, HAS University, LLTB and Natuur en Milieufederatie Limburg were represented.