Sculpting Aromas
In the glass and fragrance worlds, collaborations often create iconic forms which are ‘endowed with an aura of distinction and exclusivity’ ‘The Art of Perfume‘, Christie Mayer Lefkowith,1994. Bethany Wood, a visionary glass artist, and the Donetsk Perfume house Royal Strelitzia, recently embarked on a series of collaborations inspired by the legendary Maya Plisetskaya and Viktor Tsoi, resulting in two new iconic flacons. Royal Strelitzia creates non-standard, bold and creative projects, talking about important people, presenting portraits and vials to visualize their perfumes, which is a kind of symbiosis, when perfumes, portrait and bottle compliment each other, it creates a single picture.
Maya Plisetskaya was one of the greatest Ballerinas of her time (dancing on pointe well into her 80’s). She was also a choreographer, ballet director and actress. Royal Strelitzia has devoted this first project to her remarkable life, paying homage to her role in Carmen Suite, an ballet choreographed by Alberto Alonso, which became one of her most famous roles. Below, she is depicted in one of her characters, ‘Fate’, a ballerina dressed in black and a representation of Carmen’s alter ego.
The vessel created by Bethany Wood embodies the beauty, femininity, rebellious character, struggle, and freedom of the great ballerina. With fierce ripples of red glass engulfing the pitch-black vessel, this cacophony of colour reaches its climax with an eternally flamed stopper. The fragrance inside combines bold citrus and hot spices, complemented by captivating roses. The sweet blend of honey and resins gives it a feminine touch, while the noble woods add a strong character. The perfume is reminiscent of a powerful bullfight, with animal musks of musk, deer and beaver.
The fragrance is set to be showcased at the Art Museum in Donetsk after the war, accompanied with a portrait captured by Artist Pavel Sushinsky.
Following this collaboration is a new vessel inspired by another iconic figure – Viktor Tsoi.
Viktor Tsoi, a multifaceted artist known for his role as a poet, musician, and leader of the rock group “KINO,” left an indelible mark on the late 80s music scene. His songs, including “Blood Type,” “A Star Called the Sun,” and “Change,” not only became anthems of their time but continue to resonate with audiences today.
The collaboration between Bethany Wood and Royal Strelitzia seeks to pay homage to Tsoi’s legacy through a meticulously crafted fragrance and an artistic glass flacon. The fragrance, encapsulated in a beautifully designed bottle, is a symphony of bold citrus, heated spices, and a bouquet of captivating roses. The addition of honey, resins, and noble woods adds a layer of strength to the composition, mirroring the dichotomy of Tsoi’s personality – a delicate romantic soul with an underlying rebellious spirit.
Bethany Wood, known for her mesmerizing abstract forms, has crafted a flacon that captures the essence of Tsoi’s music. The blazing sun design symbolizes the electric rhythm and fiery passion that Tsoi infused into his songs. It is a testament to the enduring flame of his influence, burning brightly thirty-one years after his tragic demise.
Royal Strelitzia, a perfume house known for creating aromatic masterpieces, brings its expertise to the collaboration, ensuring that the fragrance inside the sun-shaped Flacon resonates with Tsoi’s spirit. The perfume becomes a sensory journey, a musical symphony that lingers in the air, capturing the romance, wind, protest, and freedom that characterize Tsoi’s music. The fragrance bottle, shaped like a blazing sun, is a visual ode to Tsoi’s dynamic and impactful presence in the music world.
This unique collaboration is set to be showcased at the Art Museum in Donetsk after the war, creating a bridge between two art forms. The Flacon will be accompanied by another portrait work by artist Pavel Sushinsky.
The collaboration between Bethany Wood and Royal Strelitzia promises to be a sensory celebration, inviting art and fragrance enthusiasts to immerse themselves in a harmonious blend of glass and fragrance, and a tribute to these two important figures’ timeless legacy.
