Skaftafell
by Helgi Örn Pétursson
Norræna húsið 1 - 2 April I the main hall
Helgi Örn Pétursson and Elke Dreier
The ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot was given the assignment to write a description of Helgi Örn Pétursson's video.
This is what was typed into the ChatGPT AI-engine:A black clad man dances on a wooden platform in front of a waterfall.
His dance is like an automatic writing.
And here is the reply:It sounds like you are describing a scene that could be interpreted in different ways, but here's one possible interpretation:The black-clad man dancing on a wooden platform in front of a waterfall could be seen as a symbol of the human desire to connect with nature and transcend the limits of everyday life.
The waterfall represents the power and beauty of nature, while the wooden platform suggests a man-made structure that is a bridge between the human world and the natural world.The man's dance, which you describe as "like an automatic writing," could be seen as a spontaneous expression of his innermost feelings and thoughts.
Like automatic writing, which is a technique used in spiritualism and creative writing, the man's dance could be seen as a way of accessing the subconscious mind and allowing it to express itself freely.The black-clad attire of the man could be seen as a symbol of mystery, power, and transformation. In many cultures, black is associated with the unknown, the hidden, and the mysterious. The man's dance, therefore, could be seen as a ritual of transformation, in which he seeks to connect with the power of the waterfall and harness it for his own spiritual growth.
Overall, this scene could be interpreted in many different ways, depending on one's cultural background, personal beliefs, and artistic sensibilities. But at its core, it suggests a deep yearning for connection with nature and the transcendent, and a willingness to explore the boundaries of consciousness through creative expression.Helgi Örn Pétursson (b. 1975) works in numerous media, including video, performance, sound and drawing at the vague boundaries of visual art, music, dance and theatre.
NATURE SEE YOU
by Erik Bünger I Loop 20 min
In November 2015, at the eve of the UN climate change conference in Paris, a video was uploaded on the internet, in which Koko, a gorilla trained in the use of American SignLanguage, addresses world leaders directly.
She chastises humanity and calls for immediate action to save herself and the nature she is part of. In his video essay ‘Nature See You’, Erik Bünger invites a sign language avatar to comment on Koko’s use of words.
The avatar tries again and again to reformulate the impossible position which Koko finds herself in, as a spokesperson for nature: to communicate her message to us she has to use words. But in order for this message to remain true to nature she has to remain wordless.
Explanation and Some Clouds
by Elke Dreier I loop 3,18 min
In front of the azure blue sky in Rome, an astronomer explains the daily constellations.
Seven video sequences locate the constellations of the summer sky that would be visible in the night sky. Above Rome (41° 54‘ 10.021“ N), for example, there is the summer triangle, consisting of the main stars of the Swan, Eagle and Lyra, can be seen.
While the space dissolves a narrative of its own emerges through gesture.