prophecies of þórdís: performed at the nes artist residency, skagaströnd, iceland 2014
Concept: Kerryn McMurdo and Mary Rasmussen
Moving image: Mary Rasmussen and Jihyun Kim
Choreography and performance: Kerryn McMurdo
Sound artist: Marc Chesterman
Sound and image edit: Mary Rasmussen
The first named inhabitant of Skagaströnd was the prophetess Þórdís who lived at Spákonufell (Prophetess Mountain) in the late 10th century. Þórdís is mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas where she is known as having skill in witchcraft and for climbing the mountain Spákonufell (646 m.) every day. Þórdís combed her hair with a golden comb while on the mountain and it is said that she hid her golden treasure in the mountain. She put a spell on the treasure so that no one could retrieve it; except for women whom were not baptized in the church, did not speak of God’s words and whom drank horse milk regularly. The reason of her death is unknown, yet between 1900-1920 a grand folk story has been beautifully constructed to serve the purpose of continuing the saga of Þórdís: The local priest and Þórdís had numerous disputes regarding sheep stock and land. Þórdís had killed a sheep of his by throwing a rock at it, as it entered into her farm. She had warned the priest to keep his stock in his own farm. The priest attempted revenge on her and it is said that she was killed by an avalanche of rocks, caused by the local priest whom fell on the mountain with a rock in his hands, ready to kill Þórdís while she was combing her hair.
Prophecies of Þórdís is a solo dance performance that explores the notions of the real and virtual. It explores a Þórdís that knew of her own death to come and a woman that had a magically charged relationship to the land and rocks. In this saga, Þórdís willingly calls the rocks to cause her impending death.
Concept: Kerryn McMurdo and Mary Rasmussen
Moving image: Mary Rasmussen and Jihyun Kim
Choreography and performance: Kerryn McMurdo
Sound artist: Marc Chesterman
Sound and image edit: Mary Rasmussen
The first named inhabitant of Skagaströnd was the prophetess Þórdís who lived at Spákonufell (Prophetess Mountain) in the late 10th century. Þórdís is mentioned in the Icelandic Sagas where she is known as having skill in witchcraft and for climbing the mountain Spákonufell (646 m.) every day. Þórdís combed her hair with a golden comb while on the mountain and it is said that she hid her golden treasure in the mountain. She put a spell on the treasure so that no one could retrieve it; except for women whom were not baptized in the church, did not speak of God’s words and whom drank horse milk regularly. The reason of her death is unknown, yet between 1900-1920 a grand folk story has been beautifully constructed to serve the purpose of continuing the saga of Þórdís: The local priest and Þórdís had numerous disputes regarding sheep stock and land. Þórdís had killed a sheep of his by throwing a rock at it, as it entered into her farm. She had warned the priest to keep his stock in his own farm. The priest attempted revenge on her and it is said that she was killed by an avalanche of rocks, caused by the local priest whom fell on the mountain with a rock in his hands, ready to kill Þórdís while she was combing her hair.
Prophecies of Þórdís is a solo dance performance that explores the notions of the real and virtual. It explores a Þórdís that knew of her own death to come and a woman that had a magically charged relationship to the land and rocks. In this saga, Þórdís willingly calls the rocks to cause her impending death.
Photography by Jihyun Kim
