perspectives (smell installation), 24x15cm, installation with bottle and smell, 2025

Firebugs communicate using a variety of chemical compounds, primarily aldehydes, alcohols and esters. These compounds serve multiple functions like defense and intraspecific communication. Studies have identified numerous components in their secretions, such as E2-6Ald (hex-2-enal), E2-8Ald (oct-2-enal), and E2-10Ald (dec-2-enal).
For this installation, I collaborated with Wim Dehean, professor in sustainable chemistry for metals and molecules at the KU Leuven, with the aim of synthesizing a scent that is emitted by firebugs to facilitate grouping. It is primarily composed of hexyl butyrate, E-2-he- xenyl butyrate, and E-2-hexenal. After an exchange it was decided to only work with hexyl butyrate, as the other two were highly irritating. As Hexyl butyrate, E-2-hexenyl butyrate and E-2-hexenal are all commercially available, Wim Dehean ordered the liquid scent to the laboratory, where I could pick it up a couple of days later.
The installation resulting from this exchange consists of a bottle of Hexyl butyrate, that, when opend, emits a specific smell that evokes the presence of firebugs.