BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:adamgibbons/ics METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VEVENT UID:28360@offbeat.amsterdam SUMMARY:Soft Sedation DTSTAMP:20261008T015715Z DTSTART:20261108T180000Z DTEND:20261109T010000Z DESCRIPTION:Challenge your senses at Mediamatic’s Aroma Lab with Soft Sedat ion (Geosmin\nYeast). By re-engineering yeast into futuristic scent factor ies\, this artwork\nreleases geosmin\, the magnetic aroma of rain on dry e arth that humans are\nhyper-sensitive to.\n\nStep close\, take a breath\, and experience how synthetic biology can unlock a\ndeep feeling of nostalg ia.\n\nSoft Sedation reimagines this natural scent by altering the metabol ic pathways\nof yeast\, enabling it to produce geosmin—an achievement made possible by the\ncomplete mapping of the yeast’s genome. By situating the installation within the\nhistorical context of a brewery\, the piece refl ects on the synthetic potential\nof yeast and its evolving role in future biotechnologies.\n\nThis genetic variation is displayed in the exhibition space with geosmin. De\nBlock’s installation\, Soft Sedation\; Synthetic S ynaesthesia does exactly that:\nit disperses geosmin produced by yeast thr oughout the exhibition space. The work\nexplores how our genes influence o ur emotional responses. What emotion does it\nevoke in you?\n\nEnlarge\n[h ttps://www.mediamatic.net/image/2026/9/28/matthijs_de_block.jpg%28%29%28AC 706E314EC4198D290370D6D9E3C425%29.jpg]\nhttps://www.mediamatic.net/en/page /393797/portrait-of-matthijs-de-block---%C2%A9matthijs-de-block\n\nPortrai t of Matthijs De Block - ©Matthijs De Block -\n[https://www.mediamatic.net /image/2026/9/28/matthijs_de_block.jpg%28%29%28AC706E314EC4198D290370D6D9E 3C425%29.jpg]\n\n\n\n\nMATTHIJS DE BLOCK [https://www.mediamatic.net/en/pa ge/393697/matthijs-de-block]\n\nMatthijs De Block is a multidisciplinary a rtist who uses disruptive and\nalternative ways of experiencing art to cre ate meaningful societal impact.\nActing as an intermediary between science and the public\, he uses his practice\nto provoke discussion on social an d societal issues. His work with genetically\nmodified organisms and bioar t explores broader societal implications\, serving as\na catalyst for publ ic debate and gaining coverage in media outlets such as De\nTijd\, De Morg en\, Gazet van Antwerpen\, DAMN Magazine\, and the television program\nDe Afspraak.\n\nEnlarge\n[https://www.mediamatic.net/image/2026/9/29/screensh ot_2024_06_26_at_15_01_40.png%28%29%28E3AE86A8598C33AC07231C8A72C30789%29. jpg]\nhttps://www.mediamatic.net/en/page/393809/soft-sedation-by-matthijs- de-block---%C2%A9matthijs-de-block\n\nSoft Sedation by Matthijs De Block - ©Matthijs De Block -\n[https://www.mediamatic.net/image/2026/9/29/screens hot_2024_06_26_at_15_01_40.png%28%29%28E3AE86A8598C33AC07231C8A72C30789%29 .jpg]\n\n\n\nInformation\n\nExhibition\n19:00 - 02:00\, 7 November 2026\n\ nMediamatic\, Aroma Lab\n\nPart of GMO: How far are you willing to mutate? \n[https://www.mediamatic.net/en/gmo-how-far-are-you-willing-to-mutate] du ring\nMuseumnacht Amsterdam 2026 URL:https://offbeat.amsterdam/event/soft-sedation-1 GEO:52.3765012;4.9132763 LOCATION:Mediamatic - Dijksgracht 6\, 1019 BS Amsterdam STATUS:CONFIRMED CATEGORIES:alternative,amsterdam-centrum,discussion,eastern docklands,exhib ition X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Challenge your senses at Mediamatic’s Aroma Lab with Soft Sedation (Geosmin Yeast). By re-engineering yeast into futuristic scent factories, this artwork releases geosmin, the magnet ic aroma of rain on dry earth that humans are hyper-sensitive to.

S tep close, take a breath, and experience how synthetic biology can unlock a deep feeling of nostalgia.

Soft Sedation reimagines this natural scent by altering the metabolic pathways of yeast, enabling it to produce geosmin—an achievement made possible by the complete mapping of t he yeast’s genome. By situating the installation within the historical con text of a brewery, the piece reflects on the synthetic potential of yeast and its evolving role in future biotechnologies.

This genetic varia tion is displayed in the exhibition space with geosmin. De Block’s install ation, Soft Sedation; Synthetic Synaesthesia does exactly that: i t disperses geosmin produced by yeast throughout the exhibition space. The work explores how our genes influence our emotional responses. What emoti on does it evoke in you?

Enlarge

Matthijs de Block

Matthijs De Block is a multidisciplinary artist who uses d isruptive and alternative ways of experiencing art to create meaningful so cietal impact. Acting as an intermediary between science and the public, h e uses his practice to provoke discussion on social and societal issues. H is work with genetically modified organisms and bioart explores broader so cietal implications, serving as a catalyst for public debate and gaining c overage in media outlets such as De Tijd, De Morgen, Gazet van Antwerpen, DAMN Magazine, and the television program De Afspraak.

Enlarge
Soft Sedation by Matthijs De Block - ©Matthijs De Block -

Information
Exhibition
19:00 - 02:00, 7 November 2026

Mediamat ic, Aroma Lab

Part of GMO: How far are you willing to mutate? during Museumnacht Amsterdam 2026
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