Jasminum Incubator is a dystopian visual hypothesis of a temple preserving an experience. Temples often hold ritualistic practices with bundles of incense, encapsulating the smoke to capture moments before it disappears. The greenhouse structure is a metaphor for restoring and intensifying an experience. Within a matter of time, the greenhouse turns from a translucent sheer structure to an opaque, eerie smoke chamber. The Jasmine smell intensifies as the smoke slowly grows, expands and contains itself within the structure. Once these incense are lit, it evolves into something potent and potentially dangerous.

            In the same way humans have built secure underground banks to preserve seeds and species, this work’s specimen to be preserved exists as a scent – the Jasmine scented incense. Jasmine is a symbol of purity in Chinese culture and as they burn they become more pungent and alive. This work shows ancient temple practices treated in the context of a Westernized lab like - setting.

Eventually, the incense stopped burning and the smoke remains in a constant state. The hazy white interior of the greenhouse suggests suffocation (as the smoke has no where to go), almost as if the incense is killing itself. Instead of trying to sustain life forms, it is reconstructed in a way to sustain carcinogens that deteriorates life. In the exterior, it seems as if the life of the incense is growing. In contrary, the dystopian opaque interior dehumanizes and creates an unpleasant experience for anyone to enter.

Greenhouse, Baltic Birch Plywood, Jasmine scented Incense 

47.3” x 67” x 76.4”