The publication combines texts and scented varnish forms to describe an exchange between the narrator and Henry, who complains that his nose is blocked. The narrator examines Henry but, being unable to see the cause of the blockage, relies instead on his own sense of smell to sniff out the object in question.

Words from a 17th century medical text, an essay on Morgellons disease and accounts of living with anosmia and formication are combined to make this narrative text collage exploring the inability of language to describe inner olfactory experiences and the potential of words to build a sensory object in the reader’s mind.

Made for the exhibition “Arbeitsstipendium für bildende Kunst der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg 2020/2021” in the Sammlung Falckenberg, Hamburg.

The following sheets contain a substance that stimulates the smell receptors. Its fragranced core is isolated to prevent exposure until a specific stimulus breaks the seal:

Simply rub and sniff its protective surface to release when desired.