A Journey from Art Installations to Fragrance Design
by Alexandra I. Mas
From the ephemeral beauty of art installations to the invisible poetry of scent, Yin Zhang has carved a singular path through the world of sensory creation. Rooted in her Buddhist heritage and shaped by a profound personal journey, her work bridges ancient traditions with contemporary craftsmanship, shaping not only fragrances but stories, memories, and rituals.
Yin Zhang‘s formal art education began at Parsons School of Design in New York, where she explored installations and art direction, crafting visual and spatial narratives that invited audiences into immersive experiences. Her artistic manifesto encapsulates this philosophy:
“I believe in art that is ephemeral yet eternal, invisible yet deeply felt. My work is not about decoration but about evoking presence and absence, memory and longing. Every creation — whether an installation, a fragrance, or a piece of jewelry — is a vessel for stories that transcend time. Scent, to me, is the purest medium of emotion; it lingers where words fail, shaping the unseen connections between people and places. My art is an offering, a ritual, an invitation to pause, breathe, and feel.”
“Kite is an object that has associations with spirituality and craftsmanship. It concludes my journey and flies beyond. It involves a series of wrapping movements as well as a sense of spiritual ritual to send a message to my taitai. To all the people who want to send a message to their loved ones or who once had the courage to try, even if it is with fear,” Yin tells us about her fashion design.
The concept of the kite, in Yin’s work, transcends its traditional function as a simple object of play. In this context, the kite becomes a philosophical vehicle, a means of travel that exists beyond physical boundaries. It serves as a vessel for thoughts and emotions across time or space. Yin’s garments act as instruments of connection, reaching out across various realms simultaneously.
The garment is thus imbued with a metaphysical purpose, embodying a deeper, almost sacred function within Yin’s vision of fashion. Just as the kite is guided by invisible forces — the wind, the air, the unseen currents that give it flight, the garment, too, is governed by something beyond the material world. It carries a spiritual energy, a connection to something greater than the individual. The physical object becomes a spiritual journeying vessel , a metaphysical instrument that allows for a dialogue with the wider universe.
In her art installations, Yin Zhang brings to life a transformative relationship between the ordinary and the sacred, where daily objects, usually overlooked, become messengers. These tools of daily life, often reduced to mere utility, are re-imagined through Yin’s careful wrapping process.
Each twist of thread, each layering of material, transforms these objects into vessels of meaning, charged with a new energy that speaks to the connection between humans and the tools they use. This process is contemplation, where each gesture made with intention reverberates with deeper resonance. Through her work, Yin poses a profound question about the relationship between humans and their everyday possessions: What happens when we stop to consider the invisible bonds woven into the mechanical gestures we make? These seemingly mundane acts : picking up a cup, tying a string, folding a garment, are imbued with a deeper significance when examined through the lens of ritual. In Yin’s hands, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, as each object and action is brought into a space where the boundaries between functionality and meaning blur. The act of wrapping becomes a ritual of care, where the once-ignored becomes the center of a process that speaks to the value of presence and attention.
Her installations give central stage to what was once insignificant. The forgotten, everyday act is elevated to the realm of ritual, a sacred dance of creation that transcends time and culture. These mechanical gestures, those routines we follow without thought, are transformed into moments of introspection and connection. The hands that once moved absentmindedly become part of a larger story, a narrative of intention, memory, and spirituality. The object, now wrapped, takes on new life and significance; it speaks in a language of silence and presence, carrying with it a singular story.
This practice of recontextualizing the ordinary through the sacred was Yin’s preparation for what would be one of the most transformative experiences of her journey: her time in Tibet.
“I think that was my starting point of my Zen journey.”
This voyage reconnected her to her Buddhist roots and ignited her fascination with incense, a practice that would become the cornerstone of her creative path. Traveling through Tibetan monasteries, she discovered that incense-making was not merely a craft but a spiritual practice.
“When they make it, they also chant the script, wishing for health and blessings… It’s not just about the scent — it’s about protection, about gathering people.”
A Personal Connection to Incense and Memory
Incense holds profound significance for Yin, serving as a vessel for memory and belonging. In her childhood, family gatherings were rare, yet incense burning at temples marked those few, precious reunions.
“Incense brings people together… Whether someone is born, someone passed away — there is always incense. That’s why I guess I’m so into it — because it means blessing, protection, home.”
A poignant memory from her youth further deepened this bond — when a teacher secretly burned incense for the safety of her students after a classmate’s sudden death. “She said, ‘I just hope that you can stay safe in your lifetime.’” This delicate act of care left an indelible mark, shaping Yin’s desire to pass down incense as a symbol of guardianship.
Scent as Material: Crafting Timeless Jewelry
Today, Yin Zhang intertwines scent with tangible forms, crafting jewelry from compressed incense powders, wood, and stones. This fusion of ancient craft and contemporary design creates objects that carry the invisible signature of time and prayer.
“It’s like making something invisible become visible. You can feel the time through incense… It has a certain length — from nature and back to nature.”
Molded into delicate beads and stones, the pieces emit scents that can last indefinitely if kept away from water. Inspired by ancient Chinese artifacts, Yin revives the idea of jewelry as both ornament and talisman — binding beauty, memory, and protection into a single object. Her brand, 香间旅人 (Scented Stranger), explores this intersection of scent and adornment, creating wearable fragrances that serve as intimate, personal rituals.
The Fragrance Designer
Yin Zhang‘s expertise has made her a sought-after fragrance designer, working with private and corporate clients ranging from Shiseido to boutique hotels such as Lungta Farm. Her olfactory creations capture the spirit of brands and places through the invisible language of fragrance.
“Lots of businesses are starting to have the awareness that they could have their own scents… like a signature. I help them create that story through smell.”
Despite collaborations with world-renowned perfume houses, Yin remains deeply connected to her artisanal roots, often sourcing ingredients from Tibet, Yunnan, and other sacred landscapes. A recent project has brought her back to Ningbo, where the NFCC — Ningbo Fashion Creative Center — has become a key supporter of her work. This collaboration marks a full-circle moment in her journey, merging her global experiences with the city where everything began.
A Sensory Art Show on the Horizon
As Yin Zhang’s practice evolves, she prepares to unveil a full sensory art show where scent will take center stage as a medium of artistic expression. The exhibition will feature incense-based sculptures, interactive scent installations, and jewelry pieces infused with ephemeral fragrances, inviting audiences to experience scent as an architectural, sculptural, and deeply personal element of daily life.
Through this next chapter, Yin seeks to dissolve the boundaries between tradition and modernity, art and utility, the visible and the invisible. “In the end, I like incense because it makes something invisible become visible — just like life itself.”
Yin Zhang (b. 1998, China) is an interdisciplinary artist and creative director specializing in fiber materials and structures. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, The New School (New York), she explores spirituality, ritualistic behaviors, and the ephemeral relationship between humans and nature. Her recent project, Unbounded Bound, a collaboration with photographer Lilla Lin, was exhibited at the Grand Palais in Paris. Yin’s works have also been showcased in Inter-Rituals at the CUNY Humanities Research Center and New York: The Dreamers at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Her practice has been featured in Elle China, Vogue China, Cultbytes, and Art Observed. Through her interdisciplinary approach, Yin continues to explore the intersection of personal memory, cultural heritage, and the intangible forces shaping human experiences.
