"all perfume yes": Bloomsday 2026 Ulysses Smelling Session (In Person)

Explore scents from James Joyce's beloved novel, Ulysses, in an in-person smelling session that draws from the IAO library and organ.

The library at the Institute for Art and Olfaction contains a perfume archive of over a thousand fine fragrances, pieces of olfactory art, and more.

Smell through the pages of this classic novel as we smell aromatics and perfumes mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses. The novel follows the interconnected meanderings of Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and a cast of hundreds over the course of one day in Dublin -- June 16. Bloomsday is a worldwide celebration of the novel and the author. Join us at the Institute for Art and Olfaction for our own olfactory meandering through this masterpiece of modernism. (We might even provide cheese sandwiches.)

The Institute for Art and Olfaction team leads a guided smelling session of notable aromatics discussed in the novel. We will read out key passages concerning scent and perfume to enhance our smelling session. Scent strips will be handed out by your instructors, before we spend time smelling and discussing our impressions of the scents.

Our discussion will focus on the impressions of aromatics, perfumes and their concordance with the accompanying text. Familiarity with the original novel is not necessary but is highly recommended!

This smelling session will be a special opportunity to smell aromatics and fine fragrances from our library archive to which we otherwise do not allow everyday access.

This session will be guided by Minetta Rogers.

Location: We are located in Los Angeles’ historic Chinatown neighborhood, on a pedestrian street that also hosts galleries, souvenir shops, production companies, design studios, and two very cool parrots. The IAO is wheelchair accessible.

Street Address: 932 Chung King Road Los Angeles CA. 90012 (213) 616-1744 hello@artandolfaction.com

To find us: Chung King Road is a pedestrian-only road that runs parallel to Hill Street, between Hill St and Yale St. See more information here: http://artandolfaction.com/visit

Attendance and Cancellation Policy: Please note that you must reserve your space in advance. If you just show up without reserving a spot, there is no guarantee we will be able to accommodate you. This sessions is 18 and up.

This is an in person class that will take place at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds or credit for this class. Note also that event tickets are non-transferable. Thank you for understanding!

Image credits: The Institute for Art and Olfaction