KEY FIGURES & ROLES

A year after Texture opened, Peter De Cupere created a poetic scent artwork in the museum. The permanent installation depicts his interpretation of the rooting process, soaking flax in the Leie river to separate the fibres from the stems. Peter reproduced the scent released during this process based on samples, descriptions and analyses. At the touch of a button, every visitor can literally breathe in the atmosphere of the rooting season in old Kortrijk.

Flax company Mommerency from Ingelmunster was the last to use this process in Belgium and supported the scent artist in composing the perfume. The final assessment was carried out by a scent panel of former flax workers.

HISTORICAL FABRIC

In the testimonies about the rich history of flax, one item always came up: the typical scent that hung over the city and the entire region during retting. Until 1943, this delicate process took place in wooden tubs in the Leie. The water released the natural glue (pectin) in the flax stalks, which created a specific aroma. The installation brings the scent of the Leie back to Kortrijk. This evokes many emotions and new stories for many visitors.