S Ring, 2009
The idea of a love perfume which causes another to fall instantly in love has existed for centuries. Historically these scents have been sold with skillful banter, but today we utilize science by synthetically producing many pheromones the body produces. S Ring brings style and control to scented jewelry by releasing a pheromone laced perfume into the air surrounding its wearer.
Playfully the wearer could then open their hand and direct the scent, perhaps toward a desirable other. While we may not be able to accurately effect the behavior of others with pheromones today, in twenty years that will change. Imagine a pheromone mix concocted after analyzing another's DNA. Without their knowing, their behavior could be unconsciously influenced. Trying to read others motives and protecting yourself from unseen influences, such as airborne compounds, may be part of the future. Or perhaps a new art of scent based communication will emerge.
The inspiration for S Ring comes from a love of scent and creating perfumes. As a designer of interactive garments, I strove to create a scent carrying device for the body which was beautiful and functional. As an avid perfumer I created 6 scents for the ring which can be used to relax or be playful. By touching the side of the ring micro-droplets are emulsified from the tip of the tube, evaporating into the air.
What does the future hold when we wear perfume that contains, for example, behavior affecting pheromones? In some ways scary, others playful, the only way we'll know is to wait and imagine... Music by Kevin MacLeod.
