An Icelandic Rock Star Debuts a Flower Exhibition in Seattle
Jónsi Birgisson, lead vocalist of the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, has always been interested in all five of the senses—not just hearing. A new exhibition at Seattle's National Nordic Museum, Fischersund: Faux Flora, shows the multi-sensory approach he has taken in recent years with his art collective, Fischersund, a collaboration with his three siblings (Ingibjörg, Lilja and Sigurrós Birgisdóttir), and their partners Sindri Már Sigfússon, Kjartan Holm and Albie Trujillo. The group also runs an artisanal perfumery in Jónsi's former music studio in Reykjavik.
On view through January 26, 2025, the immersive installation explores the real, rare, and imaginary flora of the Nordic regions – specifically the nearly 500 native plant species of Iceland. The show incorporates scents, sounds, and visual imagery to bring visitors into a world where memory is triggered by the senses. There are floral sculptures, videos and hand-painted photographs, along with cloches holding scents created for the exhibit, which also features sound compositions created for the event. "We like to explore the mysterious, futuristic and intangible that can provoke the audience to think beyond reality," Jónsi says.
The musician was thrilled to collaborate with his sisters on the show. “It’s an incredibly rare and a unique privilege to work with your family on a major art exhibition,” says Jónsi.
“Our intent with Fischersund was to create a platform that would allow us to leverage each of our individual talents. Faux Flora is the debut of the Art Collective concept and the culmination of our individual craft. ”
On December 5th Lilja Birgisdottir will take part in an in-person and virtual panel with Dr. Venkatesh Murthy, a professor of brain science at Harvard University specializing in smell.
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