“I like to experience a place more or less without any plans, to make sure I leave enough room for surprises. Coming to Iceland I had no expectations at all. It took two flights from Berlin to arrive at the small airport of Egilsstaðir. From here it took a drive of nearly an hour with nothing but white landscape and white sky to get to Seyoisfjörour. It was a total wow moment when this little dreamy town at the end of the road revealed itself from the fog. I stayed at an art residency called HEIMA, which means 'Home' in Icelandic, and I felt incredibly welcome. In just four days, I was surprised that I could establish such a bond with the resident artists at HEIMA and others living in Seyðisfjörður. I think the size of the village and the simple lifestyle brings the people together quite easily. Other then working on our separate projects, we would take walks, cook and eat together, share ideas and thought processes every day.

One of the nights we had a conversation that went from art to ghosts, dreams and Icelandic folklores. When it comes to Northern mythologies, I got the sense that Icelanders don’t take sides in believing or disbelieving. The stories are told in a rather neutral and respectful way, sometimes relating back to personal experience or family legends, so it somewhat blurs the lines between facts and fiction. The artwork I created is inspired by the stories of ghosts and spirits of Iceland and the fast-changing landscape I've observed on my hikes in the nature. I imagined a landscape with the different elements in nature, such as snow, wind and sun, conversing with each other - a landscape that is really alive.”

Travel diary

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Today is the day!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Arriving at Seyoisfjörour after 30 minutes of nothing but white landscape and white sky. It was a total wow moment when this little dreamy town at the end of the road revealed itself from the fog.

I had a warm welcome from the people at the artist residency, HEIMA. HEIMA means HOME in Icelandic. The artists and musicians here came from all over the world to share this home in a small town of a few hundred people while concentrating on their own projects. I even met someone from Kelowna, not far from my hometown Vancouver! 🏠

Out on a walk to see the town this morning. Seyoisfjörour is a small fishing town surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. It really feels like a fairy tale setting here.

Really loving the textures and colors of some of the buildings here, especially the more run-down ones. I was told that every house in Seyoisfjörour has a name and there is a big book that shows every house and it’s owner in town and explained why they are given those specific names. What would you name your house?

It’s been a productive day at the studio because there was a blizzard outside that lasted the whole afternoon and evening. The house cat has been very indecisive whether she wants to go out or stay in. It was quite an effort to get to the liquor store in heavy snow, but I think now we are good for the weekend.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Time feels a lot slower here than in Berlin as there are less distractions or commitments. Everyone said that they can get so much work done once they get used to the rhythm here. I spent the morning doodling with Ashleigh and then took the neighbor’s dogs out for a walk.

In the early afternoon we were able to catch some sun although the wind was still going strong. Everything in the nature becomes animated- the clouds drifting among the mountain tops, the snow falling from the cliffs and rooftops, the pattern on the water surface becomes rhythmic. From the lookout, the houses look like colorful miniscule models compared to the vast landscape.

Checked out an opening at Skaftfell, the centre of Visual Art

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Last night I wanted to see the “night life” of Seyoisfjörour. It was snowing like crazy, but the one and only bar in town was only 50 meters away from HEIMA. I expected the whole town to be there, but when I arrived the bar was pretty much empty! There were only 5 people sitting at the corner table (and I’ve already met 3 out of 5).

Where was everyone? I had no clue, but still decided to stick around for a beer. When I left it was 5 in the morning. It felt strange walking home in the snow-muted street with no one around, knowing that the dance floors in Berlin would still be packed with people for the next couple of hours, or even days.

Sunday brunch with HEIMA family and friends

The sky finally cleared up! We went out for a really long walk and past by a junk yard. There was just so much nice textures everywhere around us.

We saw traces of a sweat lodge - a purification ceremony held inside a tent for steam baths

Monday, April 13, 2015

On my last night in Seyoisfjörour I visited the studio of Jökull Þórðarson with Sophia (Artist at HEIMA). Jökull is a painter who grew up in Seyoisfjörour. His work space was full of gestural oil paintings as well as a collection of artworks by his grandfather. He was kind enough to let us flip through family photo album of 4 generations.

Our conversation that night went from art to ghosts, dreams and Icelandic folklores. When it comes to Northern mythologies, I get a sense that Icelanders don’t take sides in believing or disbelieving. The stories are told in a rather neutral and respectful way, sometimes relating back to personal experience or family legends- so it somewhat blurs the lines between facts and fiction.

I am really looking forward to read more about Icelandic folklores when I get home!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

After a pretty rough flight in the strong wind I landed in Reykjavik. The sky continued to be moody, so I decided to walk around downtown for a little bit, then head straight to the Blue Lagoon to dip myself in that pastel colored water. Although a little touristy, as one of the 25 wonders of the world it still looked really amazing! I was one of the few that stayed till the very end, when it was almost empty. I don’t think there is a better way to spend my last night in Iceland :)

Goodbye Iceland! You were beyond words! Honestly I didn’t know what to expect before I went, but within these 5 days I experienced a beautiful landscape unlike any I’ve seen before and met some really great people to share ideas with. I hope it won’t be long until I can visit again.

Big thanks to The Jaunt for giving me this amazing opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful place in the world. It was a truly Inspiring trip!