Island Zombie

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An evocative chronicle of the power of solitude in the natural world, this work reflects the enduring influence of Iceland on contemporary artist Roni Horn. First visiting the island in 1975 at age nineteen, Horn’s connection to its treeless expanse has shaped her creative journey. Through poetic reflections, vignettes, and illustrated essays, the narrative distills her lifelong experiences with Iceland's natural environment, exploring the profound impact of remote, elemental places on the self. This meditation on presence conveys a spectrum of experiences, from the deeply profound to the joyful and absurd. Horn captures the essence of Iceland through vivid depictions of its ever-changing weather, aggressive birds, imposing glaciers, and the omnipresence of water. These elements reveal her deep-seated need for Iceland, a place integral to her creative and spiritual life. The dramatic landscape prompts reflections on self-sufficiency and isolation, invoking cultural figures such as El Greco, Emily Dickinson, and Rachel Carson. While celebrating nature’s sublime energy, Horn also addresses themes of consumption, destruction, and loss as industrial encroachment threatens Iceland's wilderness. Filled with insights on a secluded region that fosters discovery, this work illuminates a wild and beautiful Iceland that remains vital and ever-evolving.