J

We are hunters and gatherers-I mentioned this before. We collect all kind of things, from beavers (see yesterday’s post on these furry fragrance carriers with high Teddy Bear factor), to cars and mobile phones, to emotions and personally taken photographs. For about 99% of all photographs there is no artistic criterion such as compositional quality that would justify its mere existence, be it on paper, be it in a more metaphysical form such as a couple of iron clusters with reversed magnetic field on a PC’s hard disc. The only reason why this particular, slightly out of focus, limited resolution photo of grey Fontana di Trevi exists in this universe is you. You personally have it taken and within a 125th of a second you make it part of yourself, it becomes externalized memories and by storing it on your hard disk or by printing it out, you confirm yourself of your past, your pure existence.

This aspect might be one reason for this blog’s existence too; externalized memories, ascertained existence. It is like a comet leaving a trail behind in an electronic universe while passing the sun before leaving into dark emptiness again. The bottom line of this prelude: I got my vintage J….by Guerlain. I post about it, although the line of authors having described this perfume is longer than the queuing line used to be in front of a banana store in the German Democratic Republic. Nevertheless, for entirely self-centred reasons, I want to leave a note here on this very special fragrance. Thus, what is special about it?

On one hand we have the W. factor. When I put it on in the evening the other day, my friend (W.) immediately realised there is something extraordinary in the air, this gives 3 points out of 9. Then we have the private A. factor. Andy (author of this post) immediately liked it on a very primitive level, without asking what’s in it, this gives another 3 points. Finally there’ s the composition; with all the years passed by, this fragrance has a modern quality which is remarkable. A true classic. The composition is exceptionally balanced, Bergamot, Rosemary, Civet, Vanillin, Lavender, Tonka (Coumarin!), a touch of dry woods (Vetiver?) all there, woven into a fabric that is pearl like reflecting its surroundings, flexible on all sides yet holding together. This compositional beauty gives another 3 points. I like how the initial freshness of herbs and bright green citrus is a short prelude to a more solid theme of slightly oriental character, without break in the story line. The transition from head to heart is smooth and like a camera slowly moving from one focus point to another without any cuts. And finally, I adore its modest understatement, a trait which should not be misunderstood; it is very present, but never loud.