Don’t miss the FLÓÐ exhibition at National Nordic Museum.
FLÓÐ (Flood) is a new exhibition at National Nordic Museum created by Jónsi (Jón Þór Birgisson), lead singer of the Icelandic band Sigur Rós. This immersive exhibition engages with multiple senses—even your sense of smell. The museum has extended the exhibition’s run and it is now open through Sunday, August 6, 2023.
Read on for more information!
The artist Jónsi is known for his lead vocals for the band Sigur Rós. He created this exhibition specifically for Seattle’s Nordic Museum, since Seattle and Reykjavík are sister cities. This is his first exhibition in the United States.
The FLÓÐ exhibition takes place in a darkened gallery. You will experience “changing environmental conditions within the gallery” that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to the ocean. There will be strobe lighting, fog, and the scent of seaweed. You’ll also be treated to a 20-minute loop of music that Jónsi composed exclusively for the installation.
Here is what Jónsi says about the exhibition:
It is a spatial scent and sound sculpture, my main inspiration being the ocean. First I was thinking about how Reykjavík and Seattle connect as sister cities, both being these coastal fishing cities…and the ocean being this ominous and mysterious force playing a central part in our lives. It’s basically about ‘the big wave,’ a wave that takes us all and destroys everything in its path. The effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, flooding, and intensified natural disasters, are happening all around us, and this piece is a reflection of that dire reality.
Note: this exhibition may not be for you if you have asthma, epilepsy, or other health conditions that could be triggered by the haze machine, strobe lights, loud noises, or low visibility.
You can get tickets for the exhibition online or at the museum. Admission to the museum is free on the first Thursday of the month, although entrance to this specific exhibition will cost $5.
Finally, the museum is hosting a silent disco night on July 28 to bid farewell to the FLÓÐ Exhibition. Unfortunately the event is currently sold out but we will update this post if we see tickets become available!
FLÓÐ Exhibition
Where: National Nordic Museum in Ballard
When: March 17 through August 6, 2023
Cost: Included in general admission ($20 for adults) or $5 on Free First Thursdays
Featured image credit: Rafael Soldi