SCENT FROM HEAVEN

The project draws on the spiritual and cultural significance of Agarwood, which is mentioned in the New Testament as one of the materials used to anoint Jesus’ body after the Crucifixion*. In this context, Agarwood becomes a symbol of both suffering and sanctity, embodying the paradoxical coexistence of pain and redemption. This duality mirrors the way humans exploit nature’s suffering to fulfill their spiritual, emotional, and material desires.

Through scientific methodologies and immersive storytelling, Scent from Heaven transforms this narrative into a sensory experience. Using CT scans, I visualized the internal scars and transformations within the Agarwood tree, revealing the hidden wounds that give riseto its valued fragrance. At the same time, EEG technology captured human brain activity as audiences experienced the scent of Agarwood, highlighting the intimate but often exploitative connection between humans and the natural world.

The project’s central element is a VR installation, which invites audiences to enter the inner world of the Agarwood tree. Through abstract, sensory environments blending data visualization, soundscapes, and poetic imagery, the work creates a multisensory journey. This immersive experience allows viewers to reflect on the coexistence of pain and beauty, drawing parallels between ecological suffering and universal human experiences of trauma, healing, and redemption.

Rooted in the cultural, ecological, and spiritual significance of Agarwood, Scent from Heaven bridges scientific inquiry with emotional engagement, challenging audiences to reconsider their relationship with nature. By making the invisible visible, the project emphasizes the intricate connections between nature’s suffering and humanity’s search for meaning, solace, and transcendence. Ultimately, it asks: what does it mean to seek healing and redemption when that process depends on the suffering of others—be it trees, ecosystems, or even humanity itself?

*Refer to: Dr. Gathercole, S. (1988). Nicodemus and His Spices (John 19.39). In S. Dr. Gathercole, New Testament Studies (pp. 148–151). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.