TITLE: neutral

'neutral' is a monochromatic photo essay on anosmia, a medical condition where the sense of smell has disappeared. By focusing on the omnipresence of scents, paradoxically its absence is being emphasised. 'neutral' shows what is now missing: scents that can no longer be identified, scents that no longer belong to a specific time and place. Anosmia also means a loss of memories, a loss of emotions, but perhaps most of all a loss of human connection.

//

The title 'neutral' stems from one of the hundreds of olfactory products I photographed [not included in this photo selection]: one particular brand labeled their laundry detergent as 'neutral', as in having a 'neutral scent'. I used it as a title to refer to the permanent 'neutral scent bubble' of those suffering from anosmia.

AUTHOR: Dorien Scheltens (Netherlands)