Agarwood & The Social Ecology of Fragrance

In this online lecture, historian and perfumer Nuri McBride will explore agarwood as an aromatic artefact in the cultural sensorium.
About this Event

I am daily worshipped with scents and flowers, with the incense of sandal and black aloe. - Krishna in The Mahabharata

Social ecology investigates how individuals interact with their environment and the effects of these interactions on both society and the natural world. Agarwood, also known as oud, is an intriguing ecological phenomenon that has become a cherished perfumery component.

This class will explore agarwood from a social-ecological perspective, tracing its significance from antiquity to the present day. We will examine humanity's role in the ecological development of agarwood and the communal and cultural importance this botanical holds beyond its commercial use in perfumery. Additionally, we will view agarwood as a cultural artefact within a global sensory landscape and discuss its economic impact as a luxury good.

This class also has an optional take-home exercise for attendees.

Who Should Take This Class

You will love this class if you are...

interested in the relationship between aromatic plants and society
have a passion for plant wisdom and the history of cultivation
eager to explore the deeper history of the plants of the fragrance trade
a lover of agarwood perfumes and incense

Please take note of the following class details:

Class Particulars

This lecture will be presented live via Zoom on March 26th at 8:00 pm (20:00) GMT+3. Attendees can join the lecture using the link provided via the notification email sent out 12 hours before the lecture. To ensure that our emails aren't marked as spam, please add [email protected] to your contact list. The lecture recording will be accessible to attendees for 14 days. Student participation is highly encouraged but optional.

Policies

No refunds
Tickets are non-transferable
You can purchase a ticket up to 12 hours before a class goes live.
You cannot purchase a ticket after a class has ended in order to access the recording or class materials.
Exercises and learning materials are strictly for the use of attendees.
Recordings and class materials are available to attendees for 14 calendar days after the class. Unfortunately, data limitations currently require us to delete recordings after 14 days. Failure to watch the video within that period is not grounds for a refund.
We have a zero-tolerance harassment policy. Abusive behaviour directed towards speakers or fellow attendees will result in immediate ejection from the class and barring from future events.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at [email protected].