While Ruri’s subjects are often political in nature, she is perhaps at her most political in this aesthetic principle, which invites the observer to experience reality on new terms. But she does not conceal her keen interest in current affairs in her latest work, Existential (2008). Once again she breaks things down into their component parts and presents them in that form. On a metal “altar” stand vessels containing petroleum, maize, water and air: the essentials of life on earth today. It is for the observer to decide what overall picture he/she wants to see from the fragments. from an article by Markus Thor Andresson
Multimedia installation/performance. Video of a waterfall projected onto a layered screen, audio from the same waterfall, vocalization by the artist. The original waterfall Tofrafoss or the Fall of Magic, which is depicted in the video was at the time of the performance slowly disappearing under the rising surface of a gigantic water reservoir in the highlands of Iceland. It was one of many waterfalls that were destroyed in order to feed a new hydro electric power plant that was constructed to serve a single aluminium smelter.
Performed at the 52nd Biennale di Venezia - collateral event - Overtures 3 - Venice International University, San Servolo
The installation is based on the waterfall Toefrafoss which is at present disappearing under the rising waters of an enormous reservoir that has been created by a colossal dam for a hydro electrical power plant, built to power an aluminum smelter. This waterfall is just one of many that have fallen victim to a single demonstration of technological power. This installation by Rúrí is her latest work of the series “Endangered Waters”, and is created for the Ars Electronica 2007 in Linz. In this work she documents using video and audio, and presents in an installation how industrial interests are bringing about the flooding of an unique highland ecosystem in her country and causing its unalterable destruction. Even though the artist focuses the camera on waterfalls in her own country, Iceland, the Endangered Waters works are simultaneously local and global in concept.
Video installation with two synchronized projections and audio, the work is made in cooperation with Kvik Film Productions and cameraman Fridthjofur Helgason.
A multi media performance with “sound installation”, the work was performed at the Castle Festival in Frankfurt Hoechst 2007. The video projection of a huge waterfall plays the main roll, while the powerful sound of the same waterfall rolls over the audience. The video was projected onto the castle wall on the bank of the river Main. The recorded voice of the waterfall is emphasized by the improvisations of one sound artist, while two sound artists play the metal sound installation, and drums. The “author” vocalizes and reads a text. There is a powerful conversation or debate going on between the waterfall and the sound installation.
Performed by Ruri, Steingrimur Gudmundsson, Jon Geir Johannsson and Tjorvi Johannsson. The following participated in preparing the video part; Fridthjofur Helgason, Olafur H. Ragnarsson, Magnus Helgason and Kvik Filmproductions Duration of performance; 27 minutes.
