Sensory Experiments (2019) was a self-initiated exhibition, performance and immersive event developed for Melbourne Design Week. Co-conceived and creatively directed by me, the program explored how sensory environments shape perception, behaviour and human relationships.

Working with collaborators and partners, I developed the spatial environments, sets, props and installations through which audiences encountered the program, bringing together sensory experience, performance and spatial design.

    Type: Exhibition, performance, immersive event
    Scope: Creative direction, spatial design, installation
    Location: Mission to Seafarers, Norla Dome, Melbourne, Australia
    Duration: One day
    Capacity: 350 tickets sold

Mission to Seafarers





Sense-scape: Others, sense Whisperers performing. Performance directed by Chelsea Kate Evans. Photo Carmen Zammit.




Sense Whisperers performing. Costume Ensemble Studio. Photo Carmen Zammit.





Sense-scape: Others. Photo Carmen Zammit




Photo Carmen Zammit





Sense Whisperers performing. Photo Carmen Zammit




Edibles by Justin James. Photo Carmen Zammit





Applying scent. Scent design by Mihan Aromatics. Photo Carmen Zammit





Signage. Design by Holly White and More Studio. Photo Carmen Zammit





Sense-whisperers performing. Photo Carmen Zammit





Sense-whisperers performing. Photo Carmen Zammit





Event collateral. Design by More Studio. Photo Carmen Zammit





Masks. Set design and styling by Rachelle Austin, Olivia Reddan and Holly White. Photo Carmen Zammit




Structured as three immersive Sense-Scapes, the event used taste, scent, texture, sound and light as spatial materials. Each environment was designed to explore a different form of human connection — Others, Nature or Self — and to provoke sensory awareness through movement, atmosphere, material and performance.

The spatial experience was conceived as a choreography between body, environment and collective participation, with audience responses recorded as part of the project's wider research into sensorial intelligence.



Photo Carmen Zammit





   
Photo Carmen Zammit





Sense-scape: Nature. Flower installation and art by Hattie Molloy and Emma Proudfoot. Photo Carmen Zammit
      



Sense-scape: Self. Photo Carmen Zammit
    




Sense-scape: Self. Photo Carmen Zammit





Photo Carmen Zammit





Photo Carmen Zammit
     
Photo Emma J Davis





Photo Carmen Zammit



Credits
This project was made possible thanks to the talent, resources and dedication of a team of over 35 collaborators. 
Creative Direction Emma J Davis
Artistic Direction Mages Ruiz Diaz
Production by INSCAPES PROJECTS, a collaboration between Emma J Davis and Mages Ruiz Diaz.

Project Partners

Matt Tambellini, More Studio and Mr Kyle Mac, Design and Web / Amara Speechley, Curated by, Marketing, PR & Partnerships / Damien Boecasse and Erika Hirzinger, Event Production & Project Management

Event Partners

Justin James (Edibles), Hattie Molloy and Emma Proudfoot (Flower Art), Mihan Aromatics (Scent Design), Chelsea Kate Evans (Performance Direction), Samantha Iliov and Holly Simpson of Ensemble Studio (Costume), Rachelle Austin, Olivia Reddan and Holly White (Set Design), Isabel Johnson of Ed Supreme (Messaging and Copy), Arup (Soundscape Design), Hayden Sommerville (Videography), Belle Nowak (Social Media), Pord (Wine Tasting), Noomi (Seating)

Musical Performers

Musicians Nicole Tj, Piano (anon.), Thomas Lo Violin (anon.), Josh Hooke Piano, Nathan Juriansz Violin (Musae Trio), Miranda Bell Cello (Musae Trio), Elissa Robustelli Flute (Musae Trio), Rayan Drummer, Shane Drummer, Winter McQuinn Drummer

Performers

Alice Chadson, Felix Banquesio Jr., Gaia Archer, Kiloran Hiscock, Sacha Flanagan, Venus Notarberardino, Linx Le, Bridie Shepherd, Angie Glavas, Heidi Valkenburg

Supported by:



Top image: Sensory Experiments, promotional video, 2019. Videography: Hayden Summerville. Identity: More Studio.

© Copyright 2026 Emma J Davis. 

Artist & Spatial Designer
Email: Emma@emmajdavis.com
@emmajdavis_
92022 Cammarata (AG)
Sicily, Italy 
Melbourne (Naarm)
Victoria, Australia 3205