Smellwalking in GLAMs as a method of documentation for ICH
Creators: name: Michel, Victoria-Anne
name: Bembibre, Cecilia
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023

description: This poster explores the importance of studying smellscapes in Galeries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAMs) and their relevance in documenting sensory heritage. The doctoral research presented in this poster is part of the H2020 Odeuropa project, which aims to explore smell history and heritage in European culture through digitised collections of historical texts, iconographies, and objects [1]. By studying smells in a cultural and historical context, this work contributes to understanding sensory experiences, an important and under researched dimension of intangible heritage.
Smellscapes refer to the encounters between a space, olfactory environment, and individual interpretation based on personal experiences and memories [2][3][4]. Cultural and heritage sites possess diverse smellscapes, including both expected smells related to the objects and intrinsic, sometimes unexpected, smells of the places' materiality and activity. By acknowledging and investigating the diversity of smellscapes, researchers and professionals can develop a comprehensive approach to heritage preservation, enhance olfactory art displays, and create a more holistic visitor experience.
Our methodology for exploring smellscapes in cultural and heritage sites involves multiple methods of data collection and analysis. One approach is textual analysis of historical sources and user-generated reviews to understand the evolution of olfactory references and impressions over time. Another approach is conducting smellwalks, which engage stakeholders in a sensory exploration of the environment. Smellwalks are a tool to capture (heritage) smellscapes and allow participants to connect with heritage objects, practices, communities, and history on an olfactory level, which, research shows,support the remembrance of museum exhibits, contributes to more personal heritage experiences and fosters a sense of community [5].
In this poster, we will present a study involving 147 participants across 13 different sites in seven countries. The findings revealed that smellwalking enhanced participants' sensory experiences and attention to details. User-generated reviews indicated that smells played a significant role in triggering comments online, emphasising the authenticity and immersive power of exhibits, by documenting an intangible layer of heritage that would have otherwise been lost. Analysing historical texts provided insights into the perceptions of smells in cultural and heritage contexts at different times.
Taking a nose-first approach to heritage for communities, groups, individuals, researchers, GLAMs professionals, and visitors enables embodied and immersive experiences, making it a potent tool for addressing social, cultural, political, or ecological issues in a more engaging and meaningful manner. As we embark on capturing the intangible heritage associated with smell, we must recognise that we can only document smellscapes by being immersed in these contexts and through an embodied experience. For the methodology of documentation, the nose-first approach is therefore essential to capture the value of smellscapes. However, there are currently very few sensory accounts of the significance of smell-related practices, indicating that we still lack the methodology to document this rich aspect of intangible heritage. Recognising the value of a place's smellscape becomes crucial for heritage assessment and preservation.
References :
[1] ODEUROPA: Negotiating Olfactory and Sensory Experiences in Cultural Heritage Practice and Research, https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101004469
[2] Porteous, J. D. (1985). Smellscape. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 9(3), 356–378. https://doi.org/10.1177/030913338500900303
[3] Henshaw, V., McLean, K., Medway, D., Perkins, C., & Warnaby, G. (Eds.). (2017). Designing with Smell: Practices, Techniques and Challenges (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315666273
[4] Balez, S. (2021). Smell Walks. In: Piga, B.E.A., Siret, D., Thibaud, JP. (eds) Experiential Walks for Urban Design. Springer Tracts in Civil Engineering . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76694-8_6
[5] Alexopoulos, G and Bembibre, C (2021). Odeuropa project D6.2 Questionnaires for measuring the value of introducing smells in GLAMs.