ABOUT
ABOUT THE PROJECT
A scent whose inspiration comes from an act of humanity.
Knowing that scent can convey memories and feelings in a uniquely impactful way, artist and perfumer Anne McClain set out to create a fragrance around the concept of compassion. She envisioned the fragrance in a public setting, creating a space for communing, contemplation, and reflection.
In September of 2009, Anne traveled to the city of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico to spend one week volunteering with a team of friends at Casa de los Angeles, a day care center for orphans and children of single working mothers serving over 100 children from 73 families.
Here is a video of Anne speaking with her friends about the purpose of their trip, the night of their arrival in San Miguel de Allende.
Inspired by the icon of the sacred heart found in Mexico, collaborator Lance McGregor designed a fountain with a glass anatomical heart which sits atop a stone base. The heart will be cast and hand-crafted by fellow Brooklyn artist Alan Iwamura. Perfumed water will flow gently and calmly over the heart and cycle back; all of the mechanics for the fountain will be solar powered.
In conjunction with the New York City Parks Department and the Open Space Alliance for North Brooklyn, the Humanity perfume fountain will be installed in McGolrick Park for six months beginning in the summer of 2010. During the summer, programs and events will take place at the Humanity fountain. Anne plans to give lectures and workshops on basic perfumery and aromatherapy, teach art classes for children using natural materials from the park, and invite other artists and community members to participate.
The Humanity Fragrance was created as a fundraiser to support the Humanity project. To learn more about how you can get involved in helping make the Humanity perfume fountain come to life, please write to jose@trustart.org.
During Anne’s time at Casa de los Angeles, she cared for the children and formed a deep connection with them. From this experience, she started formulating, distilling her own feelings and memories into a fragrance meant to evoke a sense of compassion
