Seeking Solace — Hildur Elísa Jónsdóttir

Seeking Solace
2023
Operatic performance/video installation
Length variable

Presented at Gallerí Úthverfa / Outvert Art Space and ‘Boekie Woekie & Friends’ in Arti et Amicitiae

Re-produced, presented and performed at the Tokyo Biennale 2023 ‘Linkages’

Made possible with the generous support of EU Japan Fest, Muggur, Tokyo Biennale and Tokyo Dome City

Seeking Solace delves into the stark contrast between the outward face of professional life and the internal struggles modern individuals face. The lyrics are inspired by candid and confessional videos found on TikTok, highlighting the profound duality between the open expressions people share online and the guarded fronts they present in their everyday lives. The impostor syndrome in the lyrics becomes even more apparent by juxtaposing the unhinged confessions and the archaic folk songs. While the lyrics are intimate and unrelenting, the folk songs are reassuring and comforting - a paradox that many relate to from their own lives in regard to their inner dialogue as opposed to external circumstances.

Performed by Airi Katayama, Bryndís Guðjónsdóttir, Fumio Moriyama, Guja Sandholt, Gunnlaugur Bjarnason, Hildur Elísa Jónsdóttir, Members of Fóstbræður, Miuna Kusumoto, Natsumi Kuroki, Risa Sekiguchi, Vera Hjördís Matsdóttir and Yoko Ito

Cinematography by Patrik Ontkovic and Akiko Hashigushi
Editing by Dagbjört Lilja Kristjánsdóttir
Photography by Akiko Hashigushi

Thanks to Andrés Guðmundsson, Arndís Inga Einarsdóttir, Árni Harðarson, Chikaru Yoshioka, Jón Þorkelsson, KPMG, Reynir Þormar Þórisson and Steinunn Sigurbergsdóttir