There’s a brand new way to explore nature at Amuseum Naturalis, and it’s a truly “scentsational” experience. St. Martin’s only natural history museum launched its new Smell Station exhibit as part of the international celebration of Decomposition Education and Awareness Day (DEAD).
“Decomposition is an often overlooked part of the cycle of life,” explained Amuseum curator Mark Yokoyama. “The Smell Station seemed like the perfect way to smell-ebrate this es-scent-ial natural process.”
The Smell Station was inspired by the success of the Amuseum’s interactive audio exhibit featuring the sounds of nocturnal animals. Based on pre-launch testing, the exhibit has a powerful impact. Visitors reported being overwhelmed by the Smell Station.
The new Smell Station at Amuseum Naturalis delivers a unique and powerful experience.
“One of our goals for the Amuseum is to redefine the museum experience,” said Les Fruits de Mer President Jenn Yerkes. “We in-stink-tively feel that smell-driven interactive installations are an area ripe for exploration.”
Expert smell-ologists from Amuseum Naturalis harvested the scents from specimens in the museum. They used groundbreaking odoractive technology to isolate and refine the smells for discharge at the exhibit. The Smell Station features the natural decay aromas of mammals, reptiles and fish, including both native and introduced species.
Decomposition Education and Awareness Day is celebrated with dozens of events around the world on April 1st each year. Amuseum Naturalis is free of charge and open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-8pm.
Amuseum Naturalis curators harvested the aromas of decomposition from Amuseum specimens. St. Martin is very fortunate to have amazing scientists/natural history enthusiasts and mark Yokoyama. With the ongoing educational fun going on in Grand Case at the Amuseum Naturalis everyone on island can learn and experience something new throughout the year. The enthusiasm rubs off – go and see this fun way of exploring nature.