ii+iii
2021
Composition for feminine voices and a small men's choir, installation
30 minutes

Performed by Hildur Elísa Jónsdóttir, Hilma Kristín Sveinsdóttir, Iðunn Jónsdóttir & Móeiður Kristjánsdóttir

Presented in Gryfjan, Ásmundarsalur, as part of leyndarmál í brosinu / secrets in a smile

ii
af henni mun standa allt hið illa¹
from her, all evil will arise

hygg eg að undir blæjuhorni þessu búi minn höfuðsbani²
i believe that underneath this veil, my bane resides

iii
i put a spell on you
because you're mine
you better stop the things you do
I ain't lying
no, I ain't lying

you know I can't stand it
your running around
you know better daddy
'cause I can't stand it when you put me down

you know I love you
I love you
I love you

I love anyhow
and I don't care if you don't want me
I'm yours right now

ii+iii is a work in progress in which misogyny and fear of the feminine within the Icelandic Sagas are put on display in a critical way. The texts in 'ii' are direct quotes from the Sagas, said by men about powerful women they feared. These women, among others, are depicted in a negative light; they are beautiful and beguiling but also cunning, sexual beings with magical abilities - abilities which were typically considered to be feminine in the Icelandic Sagas, and thus rightfully despised and feared. In 'iii' the words to Jalacy "Screamin' Jay" Hawkings' 'I Put A Spell On You' are sung to an original arrangement of 'Sofðu unga ástin mín', an Icelandic lullaby whose original lyrics are about life's hardships and the sweet call of death - making the words to 'I Put A Spell On You' even more threatening.

¹Brennu-Njáls Saga, chapter 33, author unknown. Njáll from Bergþórshvoll says this to Gunnar from Hlíðarenda when he tell him of his betrothal to Hallgerður Höskuldsdóttir.

²Laxdæla Saga, chapter 27, author unknown. Helgi Harðbeinsson says these words about Guðrún Ósvífursdóttir as she smiles to him after he murdered her husband in front of her and then wiped the blood of his sword in her veil.