In the weeks before and after LungA, I was staying in Reykjavik. During my stay there, I've experienced the earth shaking, as we awaited for the eruption of Litli-Hrúturof, near Reykjavik. I worked on perfecting and finishing the costume for LungA that I co-produced with Peachy Clam, and prepared for a photo and video-shoot for Wetlands (preview and screenshots below).
The costume is created using a base wetsuit and other materials I gathered, bleached and laced by Peachy Clam. We've attached shells on the suit, and a harness made of metal chain, ringlets, two types of fish leather, glass, stone, shells, and even my own human tooth. Some symbols are drawn on certain segments too. It's been incredible to see this suit take form. I am excited about how the embodiment of my research and words stems each time from the development of a new central character.
I'm posting some of the official photos taken with Nina Maria Allmoslechner below. I think these can become printed and framed artworks in themselves, perhaps with added markings and symbols drawn on them, but I also see a music record cover. Do you? [full post on desktop] God, I was lucky to have three epic artists helping me out with this shoot. <3
On the same day and location as the photoshoot, we also shot a music video clip for 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘬𝘺 𝘔𝘶𝘳𝘬𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩 from a drone. The video, featuring many photos of dead fish and a CEO of a corrupt fishing company will be released later this year, when the edit is complete! Very exciting to work on a video and edit it all in a span of 24-hours.
My SÍM Residency was concluded by a group presentation with the other guests at our presentation venue - some pics are in the Instagram highlight below.
Above are some of my instagram shots. Check my highlights on Instagram for more snippets behind-the-scene!
Ohhh, what an incredible time in Iceland, I surely hope to come back. It was very magical to return here almost 10 years after my last stay, when I wrote "On the cosmic journey of a body" between Rotterdam, Iceland and New York.
This time around, I've deeply enjoyed the heitur pottur, making new beautiful friendships, finding Björk's house (haha!) and bathing in endless nights of sunshine - and my god, vulcanos are powerful to watch, even from across the bay.
Unto new murky and wet horizons!
MUCH LOVE,
VENUS
CREDITS
SÍM Residency
Photography: Nina Maria Allmoslechner
Drone footage: Ryan W. Wight
Hair + Make-up: Liisi Kõuhkna
Costume: Jasper Griepink + Peachy Clam (co production)
Wetlands Worship is made possible by:
Mondrian Fund, Amsterdam Fund of the Arts,
Amarte Fund.