Capturing Iceland’s Environmental Transformations and Mythic Sagas: 3 Time Fulbright Semi-Finalist

My planned 2024-2025 Fulbright Fellowship has a dual focus: capturing the lesser-known areas of Iceland that are undergoing environmental transformations and the mythic locales referenced in Icelandic Sagas. My time will be divided equally between capturing these evocative photographs and engaging in research, teaching, and community involvement. This is my third time as a Fulbright arctic semi-finalist.

As a visual artist, my work increasingly seeks to blend research, environmental awareness, and cultural narratives. My aspiration is to engage international audiences with new storytelling perspectives, using Iceland’s unique blend of literature and its evolving landscapes. Collaborative efforts with researchers at the University of Iceland, among others, are crucial in exploring the intersection of climate change and its influence on these areas. My aim is to draw from the familiarity of the Sagas, enriching them with firsthand Icelandic insights and reframing them through visual art and scientific investigation.

Having been a Fulbright Alternate for Iceland in 2023 and for Canada in 2019, this Fellowship signifies a continuation and expansion of my previous work in Arctic and Norse-related projects. My experiences in Greenland, interacting with scientists, indigenous peoples, and fellow artists, have shaped my methodology. This Fellowship offers an opportunity to refine this approach further. The haunting beauty of my photographs in Iceland is intended to serve as both a metaphor for and a literal representation of climate change. I hope that through cross-cultural exchanges and exhibitions, these images will spark broader interest before the Icelandic landscape undergoes further transformation.

Methodology

• Research: Identify sites of climate change, glacial melting, and areas affected by environmental damage; locate actual or mythical Saga sites.
• Teaching and Engagement: Conduct classes, presentations, and workshops at the host institution and elsewhere.
• Photographic Technique: Utilize long-exposure night photography to highlight environmental shifts and literary locations, collaborating with local communities to pinpoint specific changes.
• Collaborative Approach: Develop a diverse collaboration methodology with hosts to foster international interest in Iceland’s changing landscape, which has both local and global implications.
• Dissemination: Share the work through cultural outreach, international engagement, exhibitions, and digital platforms.

Project Details

In the Fall of 2024, my affiliation with the University of Iceland will be pivotal in linking the environment, literature, and visual arts. The initial phase involves collaboration with local researchers to identify critical climate change sites. Potential locations include Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Skaftafell National Park, retreating glaciers, and historical Norse sites. Nighttime photography will capture these landscapes, illuminated only by natural light sources, creating surreal and evocative images.

Collaboration with Icelandic Saga experts will guide the identification of literary locations. The aim is to physically and photographically explore these sites, noting any environmental deviations from their descriptions in the Sagas.

Dissemination

The final phase of the Fellowship involves sharing the findings through various mediums:

• Exhibitions: Host art exhibitions in Iceland and internationally, pairing large-scale prints with Saga excerpts.
• Educational Outreach: Offer presentations, workshops, and classes.
• Digital Presence: Develop an educational website and a traveling portfolio.
• Community Engagement: Involve community members in photo reviews, editing, and printing; share updates via live streaming and social media.
• Public Showcases: Project photo slideshows on buildings and publish a photo book.

Relevant Experience

My background as a Fulbright Alternate and my academic credentials in history and photography have been instrumental in cultivating my passion for research and visual storytelling. Over the past decade, I’ve documented global sites of climate change, conducted numerous lectures, and engaged in community dialogues during my travels to Greenland. This holistic approach will be expanded and refined during the Fellowship.

Benefits

The project aims to bring international attention to the dramatic changes occurring in Iceland, fostering cross-cultural exchange and academic collaboration. Post-Fellowship activities in New York will continue to highlight the project, promoting mutual understanding and lasting international connections.

Cultural Ambassadorship

My commitment to cultural exchange is rooted in my diverse experiences and deep respect for different communities. As a cultural ambassador, I aim to showcase the interconnectedness of our global environment through my photography, fostering thought and dialogue across cultures.

Conclusion

This Fellowship represents a pinnacle in my career, offering an unparalleled opportunity to explore and share the evolving Icelandic landscape. As a cultural ambassador for the United States, I am deeply honored to embark on this journey, documenting and sharing these critical environmental narratives before they undergo further change.