Bára Sigfúsdóttir & Eivind Lønning: «hryggr»

The Norwegian premiere of «hryggr» will be hosted by Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in 2025, which commissioned the work in extension of their exhibition “The Atlantic Ocean”. A work in progress showing on the 28^th of April at Henie Onstad gives visitors of the exhibition a glimpse inside the creative process of «hryggr».

Our inspiration for the title is taken from the Atlantic Ridge, which looks like a giant spine on the surface of the Earth. The title refers to Old Norse and has two different meanings; as noun it translates to “spine” and as adjective to “being sad”.

Global warming and climate change affect the ocean like everything else on our planet. The rise of temperature and sea level, and the acidification of the ocean have already made a big impact on people all over the world. We want to explore the body of the ocean and body of the dancer in a metaphoric context. The depth, power and mystery of the ocean can feel both fascinating and frightening. The ocean is for us an interesting meeting point between poetry and horror. Knowledge and the unknown. It is powerful, yet vulnerable. For us, these natural contrasts have a poetic similarity with being human.

We believe there is important power and knowledge in our bodies. Things that may not be said can be felt and this seems to be a key in how we perceive, experience and understand the world.

"The body is the link that connects the human subject with the natural world. We are part of nature because we are embodied. As bodies we are material beings. As bodies we are relational, temporary, contextual, conditional beings who are subjected to forces beyond our control" (Reclaiming nature by reclaiming the body, Guðbjorg R. Johannesdottir and Sigridur Thorgeirsdottir, Essay in environmental philosophy, 2016).

In «hryggr» the moving body is explored as a link that connects us to the natural world, of which we are an inseparable part of; as a force within other forces, as an important tool for reflection and knowledge production and as a source of connection to oneself and others in today's moving and transforming society.

Bára Sigfúsdóttir (b. 1984, Reykjavík, Iceland) is a dancer and choreographer, based in Oslo. Bára’s artistic work explores themes relating to the human being in interconnection with nature and society. Starting from significant topics, she explores ways of zooming in on them through the moving body in a poetic, human, detailed and vivid manner. Bára always works with the process of improvisation as a point of departure from where she develops musical and multi-layered choreographic material.

Bára's performances have been presented at national and international venues and festivals, including Reykjavik Arts festival, Venice Biennale, Ice-Hot Nordic Dance Platform, Tanzmesse, Performatik festival, Theaterfestival, Moving Futures festival, Theater Aan Zee and Julidans amongst others. Her piece «The Lover» received 6 nominations for the Icelandic Performing arts Awards in 2019, where Bára was awarded 'Choreographer of the Year' and 'Dancer of the Year' in Iceland.

Eivind Lønning is one of the most prominent musicians and composers on the Norwegian creative music scene and has developed his very own distinctive sound on the trumpet. He is touring and composing music as a solo artist and with bands like Streifenjunko and Christian Wallumrød Ensemble. His latest collaboration as a solo artist with Jim O’Rourke, the piece «most, but potentially all» will be released on the record label Smalltown Supersound in 2024.

Prosjektet er støttet av:

• Henie Onstad Kunstsenter
• Kulturdirektoratet Norsk-islandsk kultur­samarbeid
• FFUK
• Praxis Oslo
• Reykjavik Dance Atelier