Embrace 2001

Fia.caracas pública 2001, international art exhibition, Caracas Venezuela.

I wanted to bring something from my own Icelandic culture and mix it with South American culture. I began by sprinkling glitter on the ground to resemble the frozen glittering earth of an Icelandic winter. I sat on a stool and opened my arms wide, a silent invitation. I wore a yellow hat, like a halo. In Iceland, people hug when they greet each other, and I wanted to bring that gesture with me.

In Caracas, the hugs were received warmly. Caraquenios are open and unafraid of closeness, which made the piece even more intimate than I had hoped, with people embracing each other around the space where I was performing.