The Secret Power of Scents

29 October 2025 – 8 March 2026

Date

29 October 2025 – 8 March 2026

Location

» Kunstpalast

Admission: 16 € / concessions 12 €
Children / young people under 18: free
Members of Friends of the Kunstpalast: free

Humans have over 400 olfactory receptors – more than enough to distinguish between thousands of scents. Yet in Western cultures, the sense of smell often receives little attention. The exhibition The Secret Power of Scents at the Kunstpalast is now putting it centre stage: the show not only makes the history of scent visible, but also experienceable – through the nose.

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Scents awaken memories, stir emotions and influence our perceptions and actions. With this major overview exhibition, the Kunstpalast will focus on the fascinating history of scent for the first time – from antiquity to the present – and bring it to life as a sensory experience. Spanning 5,000 m², the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through more than a thousand years of art and cultural history. When walking through the collection, one can encounter around 30 specially developed scent stations that open up entirely new interactions between the experience of art and the sense of smell.

Curator: Robert Müller-Grünow, pioneer of scent technologies and author of Die geheime Macht der Düfte (Edel Books, 2018)

From Incense to Chanel N°5

The journey begins with the spiritual and therapeutic function of fragrances in religious ceremonies, which dates back thousands of years. It continues through the opulent fragrance culture of European courts in the Baroque era and the stench of 18th-century cities, where the legendary Eau de Cologne was developed. With the Industrial Revolution came synthetic scents, which not only influenced perfumes, but also soaps, detergents and other everyday products. In the 20th century, fashion houses such as Chanel revolutionised perfume history with their bold creations.

Scents between Science and the Future

Numerous studies have shown that scents influence our perception, memory and even well-being. The exhibition brings these findings to life: it presents scents that increase alertness and those that induce relaxation. The show also introduces the molecule Iso E Super, which makes its wearers seem more attractive and is considered the “scent of dreams”. New applications in medicine, marketing and virtual reality demonstrate the evolving role scents can play – now and in the future.

An Experience for All the Senses

Sometimes as subtle as the smell of a room, sometimes interactive or selected for individual works – the combination of art appreciation and the sense of smell consistently creates an intense, emotional experience throughout the exhibition. The Secret Power of Scents opens up a new dimension of the museum experience. The show is aimed at all age groups and links a multisensory experience with social, cultural and scientific perspectives. Visitors can smell history – and perhaps discover a piece of their own in the process.

Interview with Director General Felix Krämer and Curator Robert Müller-Grünow
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The Kunstpalast Fragrance

Bring the Kunstpalast into your home with this scented candle

Like a logo, scent can also embody the identity of an institution, create sensory connections with the content, arouse emotions or serve as an invisible brand signature. To commemorate the exhibition, curator Robert Müller-Grünow has composed a fragrance for the Kunstpalast, whose ingredients embody the museum’s openness, experimental spirit and dynamism. The Kunstpalast scented candle brings this atmosphere into your own four walls – now available exclusively at the museum shop for 49 €

Exhibition View

Photo: Anne Orthen
Photo: Anne Orthen
Photo: Anne Orthen
Photo: Anne Orthen

Accompanying programme

Supported by

FAQ

How can scent be experienced in the exhibition?
In selected rooms, you can smell the scent just by walking through. In other areas, scent stations invite you to experience the scent at the touch of a button or by manually activating the station.
Could the scents in the exhibition cause issues for sensitive persons or people with asthma?
The fragrances in the scent rooms are released in very low concentrations. They have been chosen so that no health effects are to be expected. However, people who are highly sensitive to fragrances or who have asthma may find the smells uncomfortable. In this case, we recommend keeping your stay in the respective rooms as short as possible.
Can I visit the exhibition with small children?
Scents are very exciting for children and learning by smelling is a wonderful activity. Nevertheless, the sense of smell is very individual, especially in children. Strong scents can quickly overwhelm the senses of babies and toddlers.
How strong is the smell in the rooms?
How strongly a scent is perceived depends on individual sensitivity. The scents diffused in the rooms are clearly noticeable, but dosed in such a way that they are perceived as pleasant.
Are there also rooms without scent?
About half of the 50 exhibition rooms have scents. Visitors can decide for themselves which scents they would like to experience at the stations. The eleven scent rooms are an integral part of the tour and allow visitors to experience the diversity of scents and perception. You can take a break at any time in the Anna Maria museum café.
Can public tours be booked?
Private tours can be booked via our Website.
Is an audio guide available?
There is no specific audio guide for the exhibition The Secret Power of Scents. However, you will find an audio tour of the collection in the free Kunstpalast-App.

Can the scents in the exhibition trigger allergic reactions?
No sprays or liquids have been used in the scent rooms. Only scented air is diffused. When the stations are used as intended, there is no direct contact with the aromatic substances, so allergic reactions can be ruled out.

However, people who are highly sensitive to fragrances may find the scents uncomfortable. In this case, we recommend keeping your stay in the respective rooms as short as possible.
Can I visit the exhibition if I have a cold?
It is possible to visit the exhibition even with a mild cold. However, please note that your sense of smell may be temporarily impaired by the cold, so some scents may be less intense or perceived differently.
Are there any risks for pregnant persons?
There are no known risks for pregnant persons when visiting the exhibition. The scents are used in very low concentrations and are not harmful to health.

However, people who are particularly sensitive to smells are advised to shorten their stay in the scent areas if they feel unwell.
Should I expect unpleasant odours?
Most of the scents in the exhibition are pleasant. However, a few scent stations deliberately feature unpleasant odours. You can decide for yourself whether you want to experience them.
Can the scents also be purchased?
You can purchase the new Kunstpalast scent, THE SCENT OF ART, as a scented candle exclusively in our museum shop. The Deutsche Telekom fragrance is also available there. All other fragrances are not available from us.
Can public tours be booked?
Public tours can be booked via the calendar on the website.
Will there be an accompanying programme?
There is an extensive accompanying programme for the exhibition, including workshops for families and adults.

How can scent be experienced in the exhibition?
In selected rooms, you can smell the scent just by walking through. In other areas, scent stations invite you to experience the scent at the touch of a button or by manually activating the station.
Can the scents in the exhibition trigger allergic reactions?
No sprays or liquids have been used in the scent rooms. Only scented air is diffused. When the stations are used as intended, there is no direct contact with the aromatic substances, so allergic reactions can be ruled out.

However, people who are highly sensitive to fragrances may find the scents uncomfortable. In this case, we recommend keeping your stay in the respective rooms as short as possible.
Could the scents in the exhibition cause issues for sensitive persons or people with asthma?
The fragrances in the scent rooms are released in very low concentrations. They have been chosen so that no health effects are to be expected. However, people who are highly sensitive to fragrances or who have asthma may find the smells uncomfortable. In this case, we recommend keeping your stay in the respective rooms as short as possible.
Can I visit the exhibition if I have a cold?
It is possible to visit the exhibition even with a mild cold. However, please note that your sense of smell may be temporarily impaired by the cold, so some scents may be less intense or perceived differently.
Can I visit the exhibition with small children?
Scents are very exciting for children and learning by smelling is a wonderful activity. Nevertheless, the sense of smell is very individual, especially in children. Strong scents can quickly overwhelm the senses of babies and toddlers.
Are there any risks for pregnant persons?
There are no known risks for pregnant persons when visiting the exhibition. The scents are used in very low concentrations and are not harmful to health.

However, people who are particularly sensitive to smells are advised to shorten their stay in the scent areas if they feel unwell.
How strong is the smell in the rooms?
How strongly a scent is perceived depends on individual sensitivity. The scents diffused in the rooms are clearly noticeable, but dosed in such a way that they are perceived as pleasant.
Should I expect unpleasant odours?
Most of the scents in the exhibition are pleasant. However, a few scent stations deliberately feature unpleasant odours. You can decide for yourself whether you want to experience them.
Are there also rooms without scent?
About half of the 50 exhibition rooms have scents. Visitors can decide for themselves which scents they would like to experience at the stations. The eleven scent rooms are an integral part of the tour and allow visitors to experience the diversity of scents and perception. You can take a break at any time in the Anna Maria museum café.
Can the scents also be purchased?
You can purchase the new Kunstpalast scent, THE SCENT OF ART, as a scented candle exclusively in our museum shop. The Deutsche Telekom fragrance is also available there. All other fragrances are not available from us.
Can public tours be booked?
Private tours can be booked via our Website.
Can public tours be booked?
Public tours can be booked via the calendar on the website.
Is an audio guide available?
There is no specific audio guide for the exhibition The Secret Power of Scents. However, you will find an audio tour of the collection in the free Kunstpalast-App.
Will there be an accompanying programme?
There is an extensive accompanying programme for the exhibition, including workshops for families and adults.

Image credits
Impressions in ‘The Secret Power of Scents’, photos 1 & 4, Melanie Zanin, photos 2 & 3: Anne Orthen

Image credits
Impressions in ‘The Secret Power of Scents’, photos 1 & 4, Melanie Zanin, photos 2 & 3: Anne Orthen

The Secret Power of Scents

Tickets

The Kunst&shy;palast Fragrance

Bring the Kunstpalast into your home with this scented candle

Exhibition View

Accompanying programme

Thu 30 Oct 2025

Introduction for Kindergarden Teachers and Teachers

Thu 30 Oct 2025

Introduction for secondary school teachers

Sat 1 Nov 2025

Workshop for families

Thu 27 Nov 2025

Curator’s Tour with Robert Müller-Grünow

Sat 20 Dec 2025

Workshop for families

Supported by

FAQ

How can scent be experienced in the exhibition?

Could the scents in the exhibition cause issues for sensitive persons or people with asthma?

Can I visit the exhibition with small children?

How strong is the smell in the rooms?

Are there also rooms without scent?

Can public tours be booked?

Is an audio guide available?

Can the scents in the exhibition trigger allergic reactions?

Can I visit the exhibition if I have a cold?

Are there any risks for pregnant persons?

Should I expect unpleasant odours?

Can the scents also be purchased?

Can public tours be booked?

Will there be an accompanying programme?

How can scent be experienced in the exhibition?

Can the scents in the exhibition trigger allergic reactions?

Could the scents in the exhibition cause issues for sensitive persons or people with asthma?

Can I visit the exhibition if I have a cold?

Can I visit the exhibition with small children?

Are there any risks for pregnant persons?

How strong is the smell in the rooms?

Should I expect unpleasant odours?

Are there also rooms without scent?

Can the scents also be purchased?

Can public tours be booked?

Can public tours be booked?

Is an audio guide available?

Will there be an accompanying programme?

Image credits

Image credits

The Kunstpalast Fragrance