The exhibition "Scent of Humans" speaks of how our nose is always the primary introducer to our feelings. It gives us the initial information about whether we stay or move on whether we like something or are we reluctant to it, and ultimately determines our memories.

In our brain, smells and emotions are recorded as one memory. Therefore, childhood plays an important role in the formation of our smells, based on which we make decisions basically for the rest of our lives. So it is no wonder that the freshly mowed lawn brings to mind the grandparents and the scent of childhood cottage or the smell of clean linens, hot summer laundry day and the vastness of the World playing inside it.

"Scent of Humans" speaks of the journey and the memories and experiences in its way, and how everything that follows can only be built on its shoulders. The exhibition takes baby steps back to childhood, so as not to disturb the past too much, where it puts different generations to sit down together for a moment and lose the hierarchy. The works also reflect movement between cities, cultures, and countries, as well as movement through time and age, in a search of a place where one might perhaps linger a little longer. 

The works produced for the exhibition are inspired by adventures interpreted through emotions and feelings into objects and stories. The natural materials of the works, such as porcelain, silk-wool, leather, walnut tree and others, seem to tell their own stories of a certain time and place. The dignity of the chosen materials hints at the magnitude and significance of the emotions for the artist. The essence of the works is gentle, open, playful, and sincere.

The play in itself distracts from the choices and trials of real life and goes through everything linearly and fearlessly. This exhibition gathers together treasures, small children, play, and freedom. Materials that speak memories, and a momentum that is not yet aware of the limits. Amphoras in the room are time machines of symbolic meaning, in which we store and transport the precious dowry of life.

The exhibition “Scent of Human” is curated by Merilin Talumaa. The exhibition is supported by Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Pühaste Brewery, Lo Alto.                                                                                             

Media coverage:

Kristel Saani isikunäitus kutsub vaataja rändama teadvuse tasanditel | ERR
Pildid: Vaal galeriis avati Kristel Saani isikunäitus "Inimeste lõhn" | ERR
GALERII | Nina kui mälestuste värav – avati poeetiline isiknäitus „Inimeste lõhn“ | Õhtuleht
ARVUSTUS ⟩ Kristel Saani tundlik sisekosmos | Postimees, Karin Paulus
Kristel Saan: kõik teosed sirutuvad üksteise suunas, soovides teineteist näpuotsaga puudutada | Kunstiministeerium, Aleksander Metsamärt. Klassikaraadio
Photo reportage from the exhibition 'Scent of Humans' by Kristel Saan at Vaal Gallery | Echo Gone Wrong