Björk has launched a major new exhibition in Iceland, bringing together three deeply personal large scale audiovisual installations that explore memory, family and future creativity.
The exhibition opened at The National Gallery of Iceland in Reykjavík on Saturday, May 30. Among its highlights are two emotionally charged sound works dedicated to Björk's late mother, alongside a brand new film and audio installation built around material from an upcoming album expected to arrive in 2027.
Central to the exhibition are "Ancestress" and "Sorrowful Soil", two compositions originally featured on Björk's 2022 album "Fossora". For the first time, both pieces have been transformed into large scale theatrical experiences within a museum setting.
"Ancestress" explores themes of loss, remembrance and renewal. Presented alongside imagery of an isolated Icelandic valley, the work functions as a ritual inspired reflection that combines cinematic scenery with evocative and atmospheric music.
"Sorrowful Soil" takes the form of an immersive nine section installation featuring 30 separate speaker channels broadcasting vocals from the Hamrahlíð Choir. Created in collaboration with audio company Genelec, the piece seeks to blur the boundaries between architecture and the human voice.
The exhibition's third installation introduces previously unheard music taken from Björk's next album. While details surrounding the record remain undisclosed, the project is described as offering visitors "an early glimpse into her next creative chapter through sound, film and immersive technology."
In a statement, Björk explained that the visual elements were developed alongside painter Natalia Kleszczewska and graphic designer Natalie Liu.
"My role in it was a creative director, bringing in the singer-songwriter tradition, where emotionally precise things happen inside the structure of a song," she explained. "I guided colour palettes, textures and the environments the music happens in.
"To make this possible, during the process, Natalia often had to paint many shapes and sizes, different textures and layers of colours," she added. "Natalie then developed the visuals, designing and overseeing CGI elements, and finding ways for the digital to sit organically alongside Natalia’s world and include my dramaturgy and creative direction."
Björk revealed that the project took seven months to complete and said her goal was to "merge old things with tech [to give them] soul and a meaning."
"To paint a painting is an analogue craft, but computer programming is craftsmanship too… and both can co-exist. [They are] encouraging each other to bloom even further towards a mutual world."
The National Gallery of Iceland is also presenting a companion exhibition titled "Metamorphlings" in Gallery 4. Created by Björk's longtime collaborator and co creative director James Merry, the display focuses on sculpture, transformation and handcrafted organic forms.
In addition, Björk appears within the exhibition wearing a custom look by Bottega Veneta, which partnered on the project as part of an ongoing exploration of the connections between fashion, experimental performance and moving image art.
Tickets for the exhibition are available now, and visitors will be able to experience it through September 20. Additional support comes from Apple, which serves as the project's virtual reality partner, and AIAIAI, which supplies headphone technology throughout the installation.
Visit here for tickets and more information.
The exhibition arrives shortly after Björk announced a new solar eclipse rave taking place in Iceland later this year.
The event, titled "Echolalia", will feature a DJ set from Björk alongside performances from Arca, Sideproject and Ronja Jóhannsdóttir. It is scheduled for August 12 at Víðistaðatún in Hafnarfjörður.
Attendees will experience a two hour eclipse period, including just over one minute of totality when the moon completely blocks the sun, plunging the area into darkness. Björk first announced the event in April while simultaneously revealing plans for both the exhibition and her forthcoming album.
The artist's most recent studio release remains 2022's "Fossora", which received a four star review from NME.
"An album of reinfatuation and reaffirmation, ‘Fossora’ is invigorating in its drive, if there’s little of real surprise here; hard as the mushroom-gabber beats are, if you’ve heard Pluto or Mutual Core, you won’t be shocked," the review stated. "And pop has, to an extent, caught up with Björk a little; to those raised on Blackpink, hyperpop and trap, ‘Fossora’ would hardly be so scary."
Around the time of that release, Björk also spoke with NME about her relationship with live music and her connection to Iceland, explaining that despite frequent travel, she always feels most at home when returning to her native country.
"I’m not really an urban person," she said, reflecting on the contrast between city life and nature. "I love visiting cities and going clubbing or seeing a gallery or concert, but then I just want to go home. I’m more of a rural person by nature, so it was just a total blessing for me to be [in Iceland during the pandemic."
