DNA of Oud - The LIquid Gold

 Oud—the "liquid gold" that has served as a cornerstone of regional identity, hospitality, and spiritual depth for over 3,000 years is now being looked at through the lens of molecular science. By capturing the volatile molecules in a specific sample of aged Malaki Dehn al oud (Koh Kong, Cambodia origin) and translating them into a digital sculpture I want to offer the viewer a new insight into something they're so familiar with; yet has so many hidden layers on a molecular level: the olfactive system making up the smell. 

The colors and movement in the work are a reference to:

1) Oud's position as liquid gold 

2) The fungal infection of the Aquilaria malaccensis tree that causes the creation of the resin, ultimately harvested for the extraction of Oud oil

3) The random movement that molecules follow in the air around us.

By digitally encoding the "olfactive DNA" of this sacred aroma, the work creates a permanent archive of a biological treasure. DNA of Oud stands at the intersection of molecular science, generative digital artistry, and 3,000 years of regional heritage.