In mining jargon, “Spoil” is the name given to the soil, rocks and ecosystems that lie above an area that lends itself to economical exploitation.

“Spoil” is an olfactory installation that brings forward deep smells of volcanic earth from around “Bajo la Alumbrera” mine, blended with sharp notes that resemble the essence of the most harmful contaminants instilled by gold mining endeavors: arsenic and cyanide.

The scent was developed in collaboration with Montreal-based perfumer Dana El Masri and it contains notes of rich mineral soil, terracotta, geosmin, plant matter, gun powder, apricot pits, unripe peaches, bitter almonds and garlic flowers.

We collaborated on this piece throughout the COVID-19 crisis, as millions of people were losing their ability to smell, and billions of others were confronted with the fragrances of isolation.

This work was also conceived while the distraction/destruction of a global pandemic facilitated that mining projects were lobbied, pushed and endorsed by State and corporate powers right under our noses. 

Although almost 90% of excavated gold is stored in underground vaults or used in jewelry, Canada deemed gold mining operations as "essential services" under COVID-19 conditions. Perpetuating the devastation of land and water, and putting thousands of lives at risk in the workplace and host communities, some vital questions come forward: "to whom is gold-mining an 'essential service'?" - and "whose life is deemed 'essential' here?"