Petitgrain
Limestone
Cedarwood
Oakmoss
Bergamot
Aquatic notes
02/18/2015
Siebter
49 Reviews
Translated · Show original
Siebter
Very helpful Review
11
Two Bathers Pursue Each Other in a Bathhouse in Baden-Baden
The title sounds a bit contrived, but Mosaic tells exactly this story according to the website of Imaginary Authors, based on a fictional novel by the also fictional author Warren Hahn. The concept of invented novels and their writers applied to all fragrances from Imaginary Authors is clever, as it requires only a few unelaborated details to create a colorful parallel universe. The loose ends ideally connect on their own thanks to the imagination of the wearer - at least when the described fragrance manages to correspond to the vividness of the description.
Mosaic takes place in Baden-Baden, where the two main protagonists (or protagonists, as their gender is not mentioned) alternately recount how they pursue each other from bathhouse to bathhouse in a thermal bath called "Friedrichsbad" (which actually exists). With rising heat, the erotic force of the narrative intensifies, but not much more is revealed. As mentioned, a few loose ends are planned; the suggested plot and the name of the novel / perfume derived from the setting already create a vivid context.
From the very beginning, I find it easy to connect the fragrance with this context. It starts citrusy, slightly bitter, and with a note reminiscent of fresh kitchen herbs, while remaining pleasantly dry. Mosaic initially appears as a pure cologne, refreshing, bright, and zesty, but by no means old-fashioned. The dryness quickly evolves into a mineral, almost chalky undertone, giving the fragrance a spacious feel.
Mosaic is a democratic fragrance; its components feel absolutely balanced and equal. The way the notes are arranged strongly reminds me of the typical coloring of Hergé's comics, flat, without hatching or color gradients (an example: https://tinyurl.com/lfv2eob). The transparency is further enhanced by something described in the note pyramid as "groundwater"; this may sound a bit ambitious, but it actually very well describes the cool and watery, yet not aquatic foundation of the heart phase. The green herbs of the opening transform into a raw, coniferous woodiness, which, in the context of limestone and groundwater, appears cultivated and sauna-like. There is a certain closeness to Artek Standard by Comme des Garçons; however, Mosaic is much more transparent and less aseptic. The mood is characterized by restraint and mindfulness. The "Friedrichsbad" is designed in the style of the Renaissance, but I imagine more of a bathhouse in the Art Nouveau style, with only a few guests present.
For the most part, this fragrance behaves quite linearly, with only a bit of scratchy cedar and a slight rain aroma adding nuance. The impression of restraint is somewhat deceptive; I initially found Mosaic to be quite close to the skin, but only outdoors in rather rough and cold weather did I notice that it is extremely present. One reason for both its longevity and its somewhat idiosyncratic behavior is ISO-E-Super, which I perceive very distinctly - another characteristic that Mosaic shares with Artek Standard. Despite the obviously high dosage, this clean and woody bathhouse note does not feel overbearing, but rather integrates seamlessly with the other elements, standing out just like them.
Despite its narrative approach, Mosaic is fundamentally very easy to wear, without having to deny its idiosyncrasy. I am sure that its enduring coolness works perfectly in summer. The juxtaposition of organic and mineral notes creates a kind of gently acting dynamic that I find very pleasant. Only after many hours, when I no longer expect a turn in the fragrance development, does a sweet-spicy oakmoss note appear as a fly in my soup. Compositional-wise, this is absolutely understandable; on one hand, oakmoss gives the fragrance a certain retro atmosphere, which stylistically represents an interesting break within an otherwise modern perfume, a break that is also reflected in the presentation of Mosaic (or the fragrances of Imaginary Authors in general). On the other hand, as far as I know, oakmoss traditionally stands for a certain erotic sultriness, as found in the book description. For me personally, the oakmoss in the base stands out too much, too much reminiscent of fragrances that seem outdated to me.
Mosaic: not avant-garde, but equipped with an idiosyncratic and original charm.
Mosaic takes place in Baden-Baden, where the two main protagonists (or protagonists, as their gender is not mentioned) alternately recount how they pursue each other from bathhouse to bathhouse in a thermal bath called "Friedrichsbad" (which actually exists). With rising heat, the erotic force of the narrative intensifies, but not much more is revealed. As mentioned, a few loose ends are planned; the suggested plot and the name of the novel / perfume derived from the setting already create a vivid context.
From the very beginning, I find it easy to connect the fragrance with this context. It starts citrusy, slightly bitter, and with a note reminiscent of fresh kitchen herbs, while remaining pleasantly dry. Mosaic initially appears as a pure cologne, refreshing, bright, and zesty, but by no means old-fashioned. The dryness quickly evolves into a mineral, almost chalky undertone, giving the fragrance a spacious feel.
Mosaic is a democratic fragrance; its components feel absolutely balanced and equal. The way the notes are arranged strongly reminds me of the typical coloring of Hergé's comics, flat, without hatching or color gradients (an example: https://tinyurl.com/lfv2eob). The transparency is further enhanced by something described in the note pyramid as "groundwater"; this may sound a bit ambitious, but it actually very well describes the cool and watery, yet not aquatic foundation of the heart phase. The green herbs of the opening transform into a raw, coniferous woodiness, which, in the context of limestone and groundwater, appears cultivated and sauna-like. There is a certain closeness to Artek Standard by Comme des Garçons; however, Mosaic is much more transparent and less aseptic. The mood is characterized by restraint and mindfulness. The "Friedrichsbad" is designed in the style of the Renaissance, but I imagine more of a bathhouse in the Art Nouveau style, with only a few guests present.
For the most part, this fragrance behaves quite linearly, with only a bit of scratchy cedar and a slight rain aroma adding nuance. The impression of restraint is somewhat deceptive; I initially found Mosaic to be quite close to the skin, but only outdoors in rather rough and cold weather did I notice that it is extremely present. One reason for both its longevity and its somewhat idiosyncratic behavior is ISO-E-Super, which I perceive very distinctly - another characteristic that Mosaic shares with Artek Standard. Despite the obviously high dosage, this clean and woody bathhouse note does not feel overbearing, but rather integrates seamlessly with the other elements, standing out just like them.
Despite its narrative approach, Mosaic is fundamentally very easy to wear, without having to deny its idiosyncrasy. I am sure that its enduring coolness works perfectly in summer. The juxtaposition of organic and mineral notes creates a kind of gently acting dynamic that I find very pleasant. Only after many hours, when I no longer expect a turn in the fragrance development, does a sweet-spicy oakmoss note appear as a fly in my soup. Compositional-wise, this is absolutely understandable; on one hand, oakmoss gives the fragrance a certain retro atmosphere, which stylistically represents an interesting break within an otherwise modern perfume, a break that is also reflected in the presentation of Mosaic (or the fragrances of Imaginary Authors in general). On the other hand, as far as I know, oakmoss traditionally stands for a certain erotic sultriness, as found in the book description. For me personally, the oakmoss in the base stands out too much, too much reminiscent of fragrances that seem outdated to me.
Mosaic: not avant-garde, but equipped with an idiosyncratic and original charm.
7 Comments
KimJong
Floyd
Achilles
Seerose
Skjomi
Cedrolemon
Keezo
Waldvogel
Daneh
