A Conversation with Brian Goeltzenleuchter

In a recent episode of the Internet of Senses Institute Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Goeltzenleuchter, an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of olfactory art, social engagement, and image making. Goeltzenleuchter is widely recognized as a leading figure in the field of olfactory art creating socially engaged projects that investigate themes of identity, ecology, and the boundaries between humans, institutions, and the natural world. 

Throughout our conversation, Brian reflects on how olfactory experiences shape identity, evoke emotional responses, and reframe our understanding of place. His work often engages directly with communities, using scent to capture shared environments, cultural memory, and lived experience. In doing so, he highlights how something as invisible and ephemeral as scent can carry deeply personal and collective meaning.

Brian bridges artistic practice with social and cultural critique. We explore how scent can challenge institutional norms, disrupt expectations within gallery spaces, and invite audiences into a more embodied form of engagement.

You can listen to the full conversation below—or wherever you get your podcasts.

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