The Magic Carpet

The Magic Carpet

2018

Basil leaves, oud powder, dkhoon, musk, frankincense, luban, rose water, gum, amber, oils.

60cm x 81cm

In 2018, Noura was exploring working with her mother’s dkhoon (incense) recipe that was passed on by her grand mother. Through walking around London, she started writing the scents she would smell and encounter, like the sent of rain in the parks or the smell of coffee brewing near the coffee shops around London. She then worked on recreating the scents using the dkhoon making method, and by finding materials around London, by picking up leaves from the garden or buying spices from the spice shop. Through that she was able to capture the scents of London and translate the scents into colors and shapes forming a magic carpet. This piece explores the notions of value, genealogy, and memory.