Jónsi: FLÓÐ (Flood): National Nordic Museum, Seattle
Past exhibition
Installation Views
Press release
“It is a spatial scent and sound sculpture, my main inspiration being the ocean. First I was thinking about how Reykjavík and Seattle connect as sister cities, both being these coastal fishing cities...and the ocean being this ominous and mysterious force playing a central part in our lives. It’s basically about 'the big wave,' a wave that takes us all and destroys everything in its path. The effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, flooding, and intensified natural disasters, are happening all around us, and this piece is a reflection of that dire reality.” - Jónsi
The National Nordic Museum will present the first museum exhibition in the United States of the work of Jónsi (Jón Þór Birgisson), lead singer of the world-famous Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós. Consisting of sound, light, and scent, the immersive installation focuses on the idea of the ocean as an ominous and mysterious force that plays a central part in our lives. Changing environmental conditions within the gallery engage the visitors’ senses of hearing, sight, and smell to transport them to the sea.
Composed for the installation, Jónsi’s mellifluous music will be played through speakers that engulf the room with spatialized surround sound. This audio installation, augmented by a choir composition and field recordings, simulates the experience of a wave traveling the length of the gallery. The scent of seaweed harvested from both the Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans will be tinctured, distilled, and dispersed through the room. The darkened gallery filled with mist and fog engages the audience’s inner visualization, while a thin strip of light overhead moves with the sound wave.
This exhibition is curated by Leslie Anne Anderson, Director of Collections, Exhibitions, and Programs, National Nordic Museum.
