Meet interdisciplinary artists Zya Kane and Aurora Kurth, alongside aromatherapist Lucila Zakowicz—the creative minds behind Body Nostalgia. This immersive experience uses fragrance to dissolve boundaries between past and present, comfort and creativity.

Ahead of Body Nostalgia, we spoke with Zya, Aurora, and Lucila to explore the participatory elements of their work, designed to awaken forgotten memories and forge new connections. Through this aromatic artwork, scent becomes a shared language—a sanctuary for introspection, storytelling, and wonder.

 

Body Nostalgia explores the idea of smell as a way to reconnect with personal and collective memories. What inspired you to focus on scent as a medium for this project?  

(Lucila): Scent is a powerful and often overlooked sense that has a unique ability to evoke strong emotions and memories. Unlike other senses, scent is directly linked to the limbic system of the brain, which is responsible for emotions and memory. This means that certain scents can instantly transport us back to specific moments in time, triggering vivid memories and feelings. 

Furthermore, scent is a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers. It has the power to unite people from different backgrounds and create a shared sense of connection. By exploring the olfactory dimension of human experience, Body Nostalgia aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and our shared history. 

With Body Nostalgia, you’re inviting people to revisit forgotten perspectives through sensory engagement. Are there any scents that personally transport you to a significant place or time?  

(Lucila): So many! But the one that has been coming back to me in the process of creating Body Nostalgia has been Jasmine. A particular type of Jasmine; Mogra. It has a powdery, citrusy, green scent. When I was a kid, my grandparents’ house was surrounded by it, and when it bloomed, my grandmother would fill the house with vases full of flowers. You can imagine the perfume that was all around! 

I would spend a lot of time at their house. I had a great childhood. We would go to the attic where my grandfather had his studio and spend the day there. From playing ping-pong to drawing, or building endless marble-pathways that would go around the whole room. 

Jasmine gives me a safe space, a light feeling in the body. It holds me while I close my eyes, the world pauses for a few breaths. It opens a space in the body for creativity to flow. It takes me back to my childhood and invites me not to take life so seriously.  

Another scent that transports me is Palo Santo. It is instant, within an inhale I feel at home. It is a different type of home though. It is like a “welcome back” home for the soul. It is hard to explain. It is like I come back to my body. The only home that will be with me forever.  

How do you hope audiences will respond to the sensory experience of Body Nostalgia? 

(Zya and Aurora): From the moment the session begins, we will be inviting the audience to step out of an observer mindset and into an immersive experience, we hope that people will embrace the participatory nature of the session, and tap into a feeling of wonder.

We will ask the audience to open up to their olfactory senses and share the memories, stories and emotions that are inspired by the blended fragrances.

We would love for people to leave with a heightened sense of olfactory awareness and a curiosity about the smells around them and how they influence our moods, relationships, and the way we relate to the world.

Which event/s are you most excited to experience during MPavilion Season 11?

(Zya and Aurora): This is a hard question, as the program is amazing! But if we have to narrow it down; Zya is planning to see SWANS, Aurora is looking forward to Homing Songs and we are both really excited to be attending Expiry D8. 

How does the concept of Home Ground resonate with you and your work, or shape your understanding of home?  

(Lucila): The concept of Home Ground for me is a sanctuary, a place of comfort and creativity. It’s a space where I feel safe to experiment, to explore, and to express myself through scent. 

As an Argentinian living in Sydney, my sense of Home Ground has evolved over time. While I treasure the memories of my childhood in Argentina, I’ve also grown to love the vibrant and diverse culture of Australia. This duality has influenced my approach to fragrance creation, allowing me to blend traditional and contemporary elements. 

When I’m in my studio, surrounded by the raw materials of my craft, I feel a sense of peace and purpose. It’s a place where I can escape the hectic pace of everyday life and immerse myself in the world of scent. By carefully selecting and blending ingredients, I create fragrances that evoke emotions, memories, and sensations. 

Ultimately, my goal is to use fragrance to create a sense of home ground for others. Whether it’s a comforting scent that reminds you of your childhood or an invigorating fragrance that energises you for the day ahead, I believe that scent has the power to transform your mood and your environment.