Interspace

Iceland is regarded as a land of dreams, longings and is the destination of many tourists. Visitors can expect spectacular natural landscapes, polar lights, Icelandic horses, waterfalls and geysers. To watch a volcanic eruption from a distance would also be desirable. Loneliness in the landscape is sought and this desire for neo-romanticism is shared by a steadily growing number of tourists. What do the Icelanders actually think of the tourists? Or the immigrants who have settled here? How long does a balance between longing for nature and tourism flows work in a country that uses its barrenness as a unique selling point? Nora Fuchs spent three months as Artist in Residence in Iceland in 2018. She embarks on a journey far to the north, equipped with a mobile interspace and the experiment of exploring Iceland through artistic strategies.

"The typical tourist has a very special view of it. This dreamy stare into the air. They have time and look at things closely from top to bottom. That's how you recognize tourists. Icelandic tourists also come here, they hardly differ from the European tourists. Germans are most likely to be recognized. They are stiff, properly dressed, fully equipped with outdoor clothing from top to bottom with outdoor trousers and rain jacket, simply perfectly prepared."

Karin, Skagaströnd, May 2018.