The Volcano (SHE)

Linoleum print, inkjet print on newspaper, (video, sound 3:19), 2020.

In The Volcano (SHE) I aim to delve into the concept of Anthropomorphism, where human attributes are ascribed to non-human entities. What fascinates me the most is our tendency to project our emotions onto nature and various weather conditions. The sunny weather is perceived as cheerful, while rain is often associated with sadness. A calm sea is reflective of tranquility, whereas an erupting volcano is interpreted as a display of anger. I find this interplay between human emotions and the natural world to be a compelling and thought-provoking aspect of our perceptual relationship with the environment.

The film breathes life into a volcano. It emerges from a tranquil world, awakening with a heartbeat synchronized to its rumbling voice. Tethered to the earth and influenced by its rhythms, the volcano persists. As the earth spins, so does its existence. However, with time, the resonance of its voice diminishes. Nothing is eternal. We exist, then fade away, while the earth continues its rotation.

The visuals and sounds are captured at Sillvik, a nature reserve in northern Hisingen, Gothenburg. Using a hydrophone and a contact microphone, most sounds are meticulously recorded. Sillvik, a place of repeated expeditions, serves as the backdrop where I engage with the landscape as if the volcano were a tangible presence. My senses absorb the reality, yet my imagination transforms the scenery into a dance between what is real and what exists in the realm of fiction.