Neandertal is a conceptual perfume that transcends time and space.
The two unisex fragrances are the speculative embodiment of the now extinct human; Neandertal. Beings that live on within our DNA. Neandertal darkTM and Neandertal lightTM offer a sophisticated and complex mixture of scents with materials natural to their environments. The perfume contains fresher tones blended with innovative aromatic materials, distillates and natural isolates compounding into a mixture of olfactory palettes wearable by today’s modern humans.
Neandertal lightTM is in stark contrast to Neandertal darkTM, a journey which explores concepts of olfactory dissonance. Radiant and expansive Neandertal lightTM concen- trates on the present and as such, possesses a linear and harmonious structure. Hinoki oil
is expanded with muted green notes creating a horizontal landscape, an olfactory still-life representation of nature. The binding quality of orris gives Neandertal lightTM rigidity, form and cohesiveness within the structure. This binding quality produces a powerful resulting force, encapsulating time and the space around us. Leather and ambergris add unparalleled natural beauty and familiarity, displaying both power and magnetism. A contemporary por- trait of the Neandertal mystery, this fragrance captures a suspended snapshot in time.
Neandertal light
Top
Hinoki Coriander Galbanum Violet Leaf
Heart
Orris
Metallic accord
Base
Ambergris Patchouli Leather Cedar Musk
As a way of artistic response to ontological questions and the history of mankind, artist Kentaro Yamada in collaboration with perfumer Euan McCall created Neandertal® Perfume. Neandertal® Perfume imagines the life of this mysterious being while raising questions of the past and future of modern humans. The results are contemporary, highly original, and expe- rimental fragrance structures which are free from conventional and traditional perfumery standards. One a darker, smokier more animalic interpretation of the concept and the other a brighter facet containing higher levels of light, delicate and fresh materials.
Woven through both scents is a hot mineral accord, taking inspiration from the hot flint aroma produced during the knapping process. The resulting accord is an overdose of several high-impact, steroidal odorants against lighter aquatic elements to recreate this sensation.
The Neandertal stoneware perfume bottle is slip cast from a flint knapped hand-axe then fired and vitrified at over 1400°C. Each bottle is handmade by the artist Kentaro Yamada.