SMELL MAPS AS CARTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS OF SENSORY PERCEPTION IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

My research investigates smell perceptions of the city environment, depicting the findings in a variety of artistic, cartographic forms and augmenting and altering the maps on the basis of audience response.

In an occular-centric world we should seek alternative platforms for meaningful communication, including multi-sensory, non-visual and the stimulation of personal memory through the creation of ambiance.

My work draws from contemporary cartographic theory and sensory ethnography to develop tools for analyzing sensory ethnographic findings; visual and linguistic descriptors for an odour classification system; and to contribute to debates on promoting memorable urban tourism where tourists fulfill multiple roles as authors, consumers and producers of the smellscape.