We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Zachman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
As we all realize, these are challenging times of risk, change, and separation. We find ourselves faced with renegotiation and reinvention of our businesses, aspirations, and relationships. These are defining moments when potential risk and attendant change present themselves to us and we must accept or deny the calling. They are funny and unexpected, or known and dreaded moments; often not recognized for what they are or might be. Moments when walking away from risk, is a risk in itself. I have traveled with risk and purpose both personally and professionally. Forms collided and I have been changed by a painting, a scent, a potential lover. I have found myself in Tokyo nights making choices leading to an unexpected trajectory. This tilted me on my axis towards new designations and destinations. It changed and rattled me. The imprint lasting long after the catalyst had faded. In my risks, as in my dreams, I face fission and fiery confrontation riding on monsoonal winds. Reinvention in uncertain times. I tilt on my axis and relaunch my direction; professionally, financially, and conceptually. It is an odyssey of risk echoing Tokyo nights. I am casting a new shadow hoping you will join me on monsoonal tides of your own changes and ‘Tokyo nights’.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist and perfumer. As I reinvent my company, I combine original art and scent in my new creations. Currently, I am collaborating with a team of talented people from varied professional fields from here in Los Angeles, Stockholm, and London. We will soon be launching J.Pera’s new initiative as a reinvented company. Casting New Shadows is a series of four related art and scent projects. It comprises an art installation; a correlative reader; an interactive video; and an original perfume scent. Casting New Shadows and its products are the result of a year of intensive exploration into historic and contemporary change by regions, groups, and individuals, including myself. The premise of the art and scent products is that when we ‘travel’ with purpose, forms collide and we are irrevocably changed. We tilt on our axis. As a result, we cast new shadows in new directions. We seek others in their shadows. The challenge of the project was to relate the premise of change to art and to other salable products, as J.Pera is a business. Through our collaboration with Muro Scents in Sweden, we were able to design a perfume, incense, hand wash, and hand creme which carry the scent of the art in ‘Casting New Shadows’. In addition, we are in discussion with Gustavsbergs Porslins Fabrik, a heritage porcelain factory in Sweden, to produce a sculptural version of Casting New Shadows. This contemporary sculpture is designed to hold our incense and perfume rollers and to bring a modern take to Swedish traditional ceramics.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love the vibrancy of DTLA Arts District. I would hope, COVID-19 conditions permitting, to take friends to breakfast at the Bread Lounge for some yummy fig and walnut wholewheat bread, Aegean quiche, followed by a strong espresso. Still in DTLA, we would visit the A+D (Architecture and Design Museum). They often showcase local LA talent. Following an engaging tour, we would head to a pop up restaurant and bar in the area, KTCHN DTLA. The location and food change over time. It’s worth seeking out for drinks in their outdoor garden. I would hope there is an engaging lecture at the Korean Cultural Center. I was sad that the night with Anicka Yi, scientist and artist, was sold out earlier this year. Another great place for lectures, exhibitions, and interactions is the Sci-Fi architecture and design school, DTLA. Then on to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) to see the work of some creative student designers. Take a moment to browse in their shop. See the wedding dresses from their fashion show finales. They are cutting edge and literally one-of-a-kind.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Otis College of Art and Design offered me the unlikely opportunity to change careers from a corporate environment of research and strategic planning to one of art, and later, scent composition. Saskia Wilson-Brown is the Founder and Director of the Institute of Art and Olfaction in Los Angeles. Her intensive workshop and work as a Ph.D candidate, writing on power and scent, inspired me. I have explored the role of scent in social and cultural contexts globally. Scent composition and original art have become the new focus of my company, J.Pera. Andrew Leslie and Carlos Avila have been the creative and business development talents working in collaboration with my art and scent company. They are both MFA graduates of Otis College of Art and Design and professionals upon whom I have relied for the past five years. They are diligent, passionate, and caring. More than this, they are ‘family’.

Website: jperadesigns.com Please note that the new site for the new J.Pera is still under construction.
Instagram: @jperadesigns instagram
Other: May 16, 2020 issue of Getty – Get Inspired magazine. http://www.getty.edu/egetty/e-getty.html