Close Your Eyes and Then See - Extrait De Parfum - Filippo Sorcinelli

The fear of clowns, also known as coulrophobia, is a relatively common and often misunderstood phobia. This fear can manifest at varying levels of intensity, from mild discomfort to paralyzing terror, and is thought to have deep roots in the human psyche. Historically, clowns have been associated with fun and entertainment, dating back to medieval jesters and harlequins in commedia dell’arte. However, a clown’s grotesque appearance, with exaggerated makeup that distorts facial features, can create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. This distortion can make people perceive clowns as unsettling figures because their appearance does not match ordinary human behavior. Psychology suggests that fear of clowns may stem from the difficulty of reading the real emotions behind heavy makeup. We are generally predisposed to read facial expressions to understand another person’s intentions. When this ability is impaired, as with clowns, it can cause anxiety and fear. The often unpredictable behavior of clowns can contribute to a sense of unease. Popular culture has amplified the fear of these figures through negative and frightening portrayals. A notable example is Pennywise, the evil clown from Stephen King’s novel “It,” who has terrified generations of readers and viewers, and inspired the thirteenth fragrance in the UNUM collection. Coulrophobia, now also given an olfactory expression by Filippo Sorcinelli, is a kind of continuation of an exploration into the deeper meaning of fear, which began with the fragrance “but not today” in 2018 and continued last year with “né il giorno, ne l’ora”; it can have a significant impact on the daily lives of those affected. Common situations such as children’s birthday parties or circus events can become sources of stress and anxiety. In extreme cases, even the sight of a clown in an image can trigger a panic response. Ambiguity, in fact, is the swamp of thought; clumsy movements, tainted by art, project our anxieties, sharpen the face, and depict cruelty. But authentic Art intervenes in cruelty of appearance just as it intervenes in the soul. Only Art can create this short circuit, capable of nullifying what drives cruelty toward the negative. Art depicts, but does not restrict, nor does it delight in exasperating negativity. It depicts it because bringing it to light allows the substance of Beauty to prevail, even in negative situations. Someone may need to be cruel, but only the other can define their limits along the path of solitude. And only then will the heart of cruelty become a social construct. Top notes: Vetiver, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Amber, Oud Heart notes: Mugwort, Petitgrain, Clary sage, Patchouli Base notes: Lemon, Bergamot, Lavender, Strawberry