Soft Sedation

“Soft Sedation (Geosmin Yeast)” is a synthetic exploration of the sensation of nostalgia. The installation features artificial laboratory branches containing genetically modified yeast engineered to produce geosmin, a scent typically associated with forests after rain. This scent arises from a complex interaction of microorganisms, plant oils, ozone, and aerosol particles dispersed by rain. Humans are remarkably sensitive to geosmin, capable of detecting its molecules at concentrations far lower than most other scents. This heightened sensory experience can evoke feelings of nostalgia, eeriness, and a sense of otherness.

The work reimagines this natural scent by altering the metabolic pathways of yeast, enabling it to produce geosmin—an achievement made possible by the complete mapping of the yeast’s genome. By situating the installation within the historical context of a brewery, the piece reflects on the synthetic potential of yeast and its evolving role in future biotechnologies.