Join Xinan Helen Ran for a scent-led workshop on the embodied self—part smelling and blending, part creative journaling. Drawing from eBay “archives” of citrus ephemera and roadside fruit stands, you’ll smell, share stories, and invent a new citrus: a custom fragrance blend + a short “anti-bio” designed to be felt rather than summarized.

Together, we’ll explore how scent connects to color, texture, and memory through guided smelling and conversation. You’ll experience 10+ raw citrus ingredients sourced across continents—materials commonly used in perfumery.

Using a custom worksheet, we will build a playful “citrus persona.” The workshop ends with a moment of introspection, culminating in a poetic self-portrait through the speculative citrus you invent.

This event is low-pressure and playful; no experience needed. All materials provided.

• Part 1: Introduction and Methodology
• Part 2: Scent Mapping and Citrus History
• Part 3: Anti-Bio as a Citrus
• Part 4: Closing and Group Feedback

• Oranges by John McPhee (1967)
• Lucky Peach Issue 15, Plant Kingdom by Adam Gollner
• Video: How Bhumi Growers Deals Yuzu and Rare Citrus to Michelin-Starred Restaurants

Xinan Helen Ran creates scalable, research-driven installations and searches for the point where trauma, nihilism, and humor converge. Ranked “Highbrow and Brilliant” by the New York Magazine Approval Matrix, she is a MacDowell Fellow, a More Art Commission artist, and a NYSCA grant recipient, with exhibitions nationally and internationally. She is an art educator, set designer, and arts worker based in Brooklyn.

Index scholarships are designed to benefit members of our community who do not have expendable cash to pay for the course, and those for whom the class price is not accessible. These need-based scholarships will go to the candidates who best demonstrate why they should be chosen for the free spot to our class based on the following criteria:

• Belong to groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the graphic design and creative industries
• Do not have jobs that would pay for these courses as professional development
• Cannot independently afford the class at list price
• Share our value of intentional community

The number of selected applicants chosen is subject to the discretion of Index and the instructor, but every course will select at least one. Apply for a scholarship here. Applications close November 10th.

We get that things come up, but we rely on headcounts make our programs viable. If you request a refund...

More than 4 weeks before the program begins → 100% refund

More than 2 weeks before the program begins → 50% refund

Fewer than 2 weeks before the program begins → No refund

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