Land of Silence and Darkness 2010 (with Ingela Ihrman) borrows its title and main theme from the german director Werner Herzogs 1973 documentary. Herzhogs film depicts the life of Fini Straubinger — a deaf-blind old woman in sparkling vigour. In september 2009, Ingela Ihrman and I bicycled 600 kilometers, from Skeppsholmen in Stockholm to Wanås Foundation in the Scanian village Knislinge. We were using a tandem designed for a disabled person with escort. In an attempt to imitate deaf-blindness, we took turns to foreclose ourselves from visual and auditory impressions. Our experiences from the trip — mileues, thoughts, struggles and the secluded contition we deliberately put ourselves in — became the starting point for an installation exhibited at Wanås Foundation.
The project was realized within En annan väg / Another Way, initiated by professor Ann-Sofi Sidén with Royal Art Academy in Stockholm and Wanås Foundation, 2009-2010.
Land of Silence and Darkness II
Two pump organs with constantly pedaling treadles. According to inscriptions on their fronts, the brown one is made in Hässleholm, Scania and the black one is made in Stockholm.
Land of Silence and Darkness III
Hand sewn hardcover book with blue cloth in an edition of four copies. The book borrows its format from the traditional Swedish chorale book and mediates experiences and reflections from the journey.
Land of Silence and Darkness IV
Chrystal chandelier, container with candle wax from churches, homesteads and homes visited on the way from Stockholm to Wanås. Once a week, during the 3 month exhibition period, the wax cake is heated, wherupon the chandelier rapidly dip in the melted fat.
Land of Silence and Darkness IV
Chrystal chandelier, container with candle wax from churches, homesteads and homes visited on the way from Stockholm to Wanås. Once a week, during the 3 month exhibition period, the wax cake is heated, wherupon the chandelier rapidly dip in the melted fat.
