Tomb of the Wrestlers (1960) – René Magritte
What do we mean at Charenton Macerations when we say:
“An olfactive collective inspired by the madness of dreams?”
Let’s start with “the madness of dreams.” While I may be an unapologetic dreamer, I certainly aim to dream with purpose. I like to think of my dreams as my subconscious’ way of processing all the conflict and uncertainty in my life – all that madness – using my thoughts and memories like collage materials to help uncover a bit of clarity. Think of it as a type of off-hours reasoning. Dreams provide a quiet place to escape the day’s insanity: an oasis to hide away in, while trying to make sense of the fragments of life. Dreams can also be amazingly unpredictable. What I love most about dreams is how anything is possible while dreaming. You set your own limits.
In the art world, dreams are tackled head on by The Surrealists. I was always personally drawn to the art collectives formed by The Surrealists. Some of the greatest minds of the time gathering together to discuss current events, and then channeling the products of those discussions back into their respective works. Amongst some these works are many of my favorite artistic collaborations. They, too, found great inspiration in the Marquis De Sade.
Paris Surrealists (1933) – Photo by Anna Riwkin-Brick
Over the years, I’ve learned how inspirationally infectious the madness of dreams can be, especially when focused back onto the world of fragrance. Hence, “an olfactive collective.” Like The Surrealists, the collective is really an opportunity to bring together a diverse group of creative minds and focus their energy onto concepts that speak directly to them, all while encouraging cross-pollination. Each person’s involvement helps to enhance the overall experience, to add another facet to the fragrance arc. Blending those perspectives together, especially when each person feels personally invested in the process, allows us to craft fragrances rich in emotional authenticity. The stories we tell feel more compelling as they are natural extensions of their creative teams.
And how far does the arm of our collective reach? All the way out to you. The last part of our mission statement says, “they [our fragrances] are always incomplete. The final ingredient is always you.” Each CM scent is formulated with “an opening,” a tiny space where each one of you can find your own home inside. Your skin, your attachment to the fragrance… these are the things we believe complete the story, and openly welcome them into the mix. We depend on you throughout every stage of development.
Welcome to The Fragrance Underground.
