THE SECRET POWER OF SCENTS. KUNSPALAST, DÜSSELDORF

29 October 2025 – 8 March 2026

Humans have over 400 olfactory receptors – more than enough to distinguish between thousands of scents. Yet in Western cultures, the sense of smell often receives little attention. 

The exhibition The Secret Power of Scents at the Kunstpalast is now putting it centre stage: the show not only makes the history of scent visible, but also experienceable – through the nose.

Scents awaken memories, stir emotions and influence our perceptions and actions. With this major overview exhibition, the Kunstpalast will focus on the fascinating history of scent for the first time – from antiquity to the present – and bring it to life as a sensory experience. Spanning 5,000 m², the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through more than a thousand years of art and cultural history. When walking through the collection, one can encounter around 30 specially developed scent stations that open up entirely new interactions between the experience of art and the sense of smell.

Curator: Robert Müller-Grünow, pioneer of scent technologies and author of Die geheime Macht der Düfte (Edel Books, 2018)

From Incense to Chanel N°5

The journey begins with the spiritual and therapeutic function of fragrances in religious ceremonies, which dates back thousands of years. 

It continues through the opulent fragrance culture of European courts in the Baroque era and the stench of 18th-century cities, where the legendary Eau de Cologne was developed.

 With the Industrial Revolution came synthetic scents, which not only influenced perfumes, but also soaps, detergents and other everyday products. In the 20th century, fashion houses such as Chanel revolutionised perfume history with their bold creations.

Scents between Science and the Future

Numerous studies have shown that scents influence our perception, memory and even well-being. The exhibition brings these findings to life: it presents scents that increase alertness and those that induce relaxation. 

The show also introduces the molecule Iso E Super, which makes its wearers seem more attractive and is considered the “scent of dreams”. New applications in medicine, marketing and virtual reality demonstrate the evolving role scents can play – now and in the future.

An Experience for All the Senses

Sometimes as subtle as the smell of a room, sometimes interactive or selected for individual works – the combination of art appreciation and the sense of smell consistently creates an intense, emotional experience throughout the exhibition. 

The Secret Power of Scents opens up a new dimension of the museum experience. 

The show is aimed at all age groups and links a multisensory experience with social, cultural and scientific perspectives. Visitors can smell history – and perhaps discover a piece of their own in the process.

https://www.kunstpalast.de/en/event/die-geheime-macht-der-dufte/