Features Overview

These are The Islands in Bygone Seas

Listastofan

October 13th to October 20th 2018

These are The Islands in Bygone Seas is a show by Wiola Ujazdowska (video) and Hildur Ása Henrýsdóttir (paintings) presenting a different perspective on Medea — the main character in a Greek tragedy written by Euripides.

The tragedy tells a story of a passionate, foreign (described as barbarian) and mysterious (she knew magic) woman, that has been betrayed and used by Jason — her lover and father of her children — and put into new social circumstances. Medea kills her own children as an act of revenge on Jason, however driving herself into misfortune and despair.
As a character she has all the attributes that weren’t desirable for a female: wise, aware of her rights and opportunities, responsible for her own fortune, fighting for her independence and needs. She doesn’t fit into the patriarchal society and rules of Corinth so she becomes The Other — a barbarian, a witch. Dangerous, outlaw, adamant and determined.

Artists are creating a dialogue between the context of the play Medea and their own experiences to ask a questions: What is femininity? What does it mean to be a female immigrant/nomad? How does migration connect to the body and how it transforms or deforms?

Exhibition is a part of Hidden People — a project raising awareness on immigration in Iceland / www.huldufolk.net