Shawn Kolodny and Creed Fragrances Are Scenting the Scene at Art Basel Miami Beach

by · WWD
Shawn KolodnyCourtesy

“I am almost in celebration mode. I am two installations away from celebration,” said Shawn Kolodny on Tuesday night, rounding the corner outside the Esmé Miami Beach Hotel toward his newly installed public sculpture. Inside the hotel, House of Creed was hosting a cocktail party to celebrate their collaboration with the Miami-based visual artist.

“I have a container ship filled with giant steel balls on the sea as we speak,” he added. “I’ve bit off a little more than I could chew this week. But it’s been awesome and fun and rewarding.”

The sculpture, located at Española Way and Drexel Avenue in South Beach, is Kolodny’s first public art project.

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“Because we did it with Creed, it has a whole olfactory component,” said Kolodny, leaning over the large reflective sculpture, composed of metal spheres of various sizes. “Hidden inside the sculpture, there’s a scent machine,” he added, peering toward a nozzle embedded within the work. “Give it a sec. It literally wafts up.” On cue, the sculpture misted Creed’s latest fragrance, Carmina, into the air. 

As part of his collaboration with Creed, Kolodny also designed all of the brand’s holiday window displays for its global boutiques.

“Imagine designing 28 different sculptures for 28 very specific locations, that have to be designed in a way that they can actually be put together without me being there,” he enthused. “It was the most amazing learning experience I’ve ever had. I’d never done a project of that magnitude before. And this is the crescendo,” he added, motioning to his outdoor sculpture. “The whole project from beginning to end has been a blast.”

While Kolodny has more work on the horizon — and a shipment at sea — he was also looking forward to checking out what his art peers have been up to.

“Tomorrow I’m gonna go walk Basel and actually go see some art and absorb and see what’s out there. I’m always inspired and enthralled by what people make and the vision people have and how people execute,” he said, enroute to rejoin his Creed celebration. “I’ve done the party stuff; I know what that’s gonna be. At this point in my existence, the smaller, more intimate things — and seeing what people are creating — is my favorite part.”

The scene at Creed’s celebration for Shawn Kolodny at Art Basel Miami Beach.
The scene at Creed’s celebration for Shawn Kolodny at Art Basel Miami Beach.