What is the meaning of art on the moon? Artist on the Moon is the latest project from Icelandic visual artist Borghildur Indriðadóttir, who aims to perform for the stars and dance on the Moon's surface. She aims to fly to the Moon within the next few years and perform a contemporary dance piece that will be live-streamed back to Earth. The work asks what claims are being made in relation to unmanned territories? What hierarchies and systems emerge? How can women assert themselves within patriarchal structures? Rejecting colonial visions in favor of the peaceful gesture, this project seeks to interrogate gender structures in art and science and ultimately question how we, as humans, understand our role within the solar system.
Why dance on the moon?
The Moon's are such fascinating places, just thinking about the Earth's Moon makes me want to dance. Yes it's really the spirit of feeling this connection we have with space and zooming in and out, from far away places into our core. The first male steps on the Moon will be rewritten with the future dancing on the Moon, a conceptual idea and vision I have had since a while ago. If I had the chance to go there, I'd do a dance on the first surface touch, put my hands out in front of me and salute the Moon goddesses. This mysterious, intense and bright phenomena that we know. I have a longing for this place, the Moon makes me feel clear and vibrant! I'm sure the missing rock has led me to this project, the rock that I want to return to the Moon.
The process of creating this artwork has been ongoing and enhanced with my encounter with visual art, space aliens, astronauts, scientists, geologists and the crust of Icelandic highlands.
Tell us about the process of getting to the moon?
The process of creating this artwork has been ongoing and enhanced with my encounter with visual art, space aliens, astronauts, scientists, geologists and the crust of Icelandic highlands to name a few encounters of inspiration. So working with understanding and implementing into my art. Particularly the colors- for example the cold steel silver and deep lapis blue, my process is to reclaim a feeling of femininity within these colors in a male dominated space world. My process of getting to the Moon, is a conceptual undertaking, so the story and this cross-disciplinary approach keeps on developing alongside the current events that are taking place within Artist on the Moon (AOM). Such as exhibitions and artwork development, drawings, paintings, choreography, conversations, research, reflection.
In a way, the project is anthropocentric by nature. What’s your stance on humans traveling to unmanned territories — often in order to claim it?
I don't know what that means exactly, what is the Icelandic word for anthropocentric? Some kind of Ubermensch? My stance on humans traveling to unmanned territories outside of Earth is that it shouldn't be done unless it is necessary. It feels disrespectful to fly a rocket full of blue balls to other territories, I question this, and the money behind decision making. I question power with this project Artist on the Moon. I think this is obvious in my project and in it's manifestation that I do not claim territory and I don't think anyone should. And let's not forget to talk about the flags, I don't agree on this either.
Exploring new landscapes is the question that lies not always in the physical but in the astro-philosophical.
What does your work reveal about gender, social structures and power roles in exploring new landscapes?
My project today reveals the obvious lack of gender equality in space science in the present moment. We are here to change this, equalize these absurd power roles and bring back the missing rock. Exploring new landscapes is the question that lies not always in the physical but in the astro-philosophical, the human social structure as a landscape itself and what is it's identity, how can I explore this as an artist on Earth today?
What may ‘Artist on the Moon’ mean for ‘Artists on Earth’?
To continue to create & be brave, speak up, be aware and have a critical eye because there is no endpoint. Just development.
You state that the project questions the ways in which we, as humans, understand our role within the solar system. Where do we stand?
Our solar system orbits the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy. We're in one of the galaxy's four spiral arms. Humans understand their role as being a dominating force in decision making for Earth and even beyond. With my project I question this human often male dominant power game of claiming territories and racing to be the first and the best at everything, such an ego driven force. This is so irrelevant when looking at our orbiting solar system, the real power has to be redefined within us, with softness, with perspective of the universe and its infinite possibilities. And we need to understand that currency and money should not drive decisions of who gets to do things and decide to destroy land, or who gets the chance to acquire knowledge. Humans, a collective species, are right now spinning in circles.
How can art change this perspective?
By bringing a balance, and inspiration perhaps by giving a steady pose to the viewer of the choreography, artworks and research of AOM.
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