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Laime KiskuneLithuanian professional perfumer and olfactory artist
Date of Birth: 21.03.1962
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
- Laimė Kiškūnė: A Pioneer in the Realm of Olfaction
- Education and Early Career
- Anthropology and Video Art
- Perfumery and Olfactory Art
- Aroma-Botanical Expeditions
- Olfactory Creations
- Awards and Recognition
- President of the Lithuanian Union of Perfumery and Cosmetics (LKPK)
Laimė Kiškūnė: A Pioneer in the Realm of Olfaction
Laimė Kiškūnė, a renowned Lithuanian perfumer and olfactory artist, educator, and cultural anthropologist, is a true pioneer in the world of fragrances. Born and raised amid blooming gardens in a small village near Panevėžys, Kiškūnė developed a profound fascination with scents from an early age.
Education and Early Career
Kiškūnė pursued a diverse education, graduating from Panevėžys J. Balčikonis Secondary School in 1980. She went on to study pharmacy at Kaunas Medical Institute from 1980 to 1985 (now Lithuanian University of Health Sciences). After completing her pharmaceutical studies, she delved into Lithuanian literature at Vilnius University from 1986 to 1988 and theatrical directing at the Lithuanian State Conservatory from 1988 to 1990 (now the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater). During her years at the Conservatory, Kiškūnė founded a theater in the ethnographic village of Salos in the Ignalina district.
Complementing her artistic pursuits, Kiškūnė continued her education in the field of alternative medicine. In 2011, she graduated from the Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy (PIA) in Los Angeles, and in 2014-2015, she completed the Natural Perfumery Institute (NPI) program in Philadelphia under the guidance of renowned natural perfumer Anya McCoy.
Anthropology and Video Art
In addition to her work as a perfumer, Kiškūnė is also an accomplished anthropologist and video artist. In 1990, she joined the Laboratory of Visual Anthropology and participated in festivals and seminars on visual anthropology in Pärnu, Estonia. Kiškūnė became the first Lithuanian video artist to participate in the prestigious "Festival Franco-Balte d'art video" in Riga in 1992.
From 2000 onwards, Kiškūnė's focus shifted back to the realm of scents. She embarked on botanical expeditions and collaborated with aromatherapists, resulting in documentaries such as "The Journey with Jan Kusmirek" (2002-2003) and "The Story of Lavender" (2004).
Perfumery and Olfactory Art
Kiškūnė's passion for fragrances led to the founding of Officina Artis Odorum, an olfactory laboratory, in 2007. In 2010, the laboratory hosted the first olfactive exhibition in Lithuania, titled "Pink Garden." Kiškūnė expanded her impressive collection of rare natural aromatic substances, known as AROMATEKA, making it available for study to perfumers, students, and anyone interested in exploring the world of scents.
In 2005, Kiškūnė launched "Kvapu namai" (House of Aromas), the first company in Lithuania to produce natural cosmetics and perfumes. Her collaboration with renowned scientist and aromatherapist Kurt Schnaubelt further influenced the development of olfactory culture in Lithuania. Kiškūnė became a certified instructor of Schnaubelt's "Plant Language" seminar.
Kiškūnė's expertise in natural perfumery deepened over the years, particularly in the field of historical fragrances. In 2012, she launched her brand of authorial perfumes, UNDA PRISCA. After completing the Natural Perfumery Institute program, she became an adjunct professor in 2019.
Aroma-Botanical Expeditions
Kiškūnė's exploration of fragrances extended beyond her laboratory through her organization of aroma-botanical expeditions. Since 2004, she has led expeditions to regions rich in olfactory culture and aromatic plants, studying traditional methods of field distillation. Her expeditions have taken her to Provence, Iran, Armenia, Bulgaria, India, Portugal, and the Altai Mountains.
Olfactory Creations
Kiškūnė's olfactory creativity has manifested in numerous projects and exhibitions. Some notable highlights include:
2021: Collaboration with Berlin-based artist Torben Gröbel in the olfactory project "Spazio Cura, Scenario 05"
2020: "Kvapų radija" (Radio of Scents), a YouTube series on scents with blogger Eglė Bertašienė and perfume aficionado Darius Krasauskas
2019: "Scent as a Brand Sign" legal seminar series on the use of scent as a signature identifier
2017-2019: "Hanging Gardens" and "Rebellious Books" olfactory art exhibitions
2016: "Scents of St. Petersburg's Invisible Beauty" exhibition at the Museum of Everyone and Everyone
Awards and Recognition
Kiškūnė's contributions to the field of olfaction have earned her widespread recognition. She has received numerous awards and honors, including:
President of the Lithuanian Union of Perfumery and Cosmetics (LKPK)
Member of the Scientific Committee of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA)
Organizer of the first International Natural Perfumery Conference in the Baltic States (2018)
Organizer of the second International Natural Perfumery Conference in the Baltic States (2019)
