One is on

Exhibition for Skaftfell art center, 2016

In collaboration with HAH editions

Unnur Andrea´s works talk in different ways about fading human connectedness caused by different forms of accepted narcissism: Making an impression has become a norm of the human condition, it provides a new form of belonging. We are not connecting to each other on a deep level but to a designed image of one another. Online narcissism and computer coding refer to the total image control we strive for, our constant search for a recipe for perfection. 

Code lines

In “Code lines” we see a white supremacist getting a treatment in a beauty parlour. His face is without expression, his nails are clipped and polished, his face washed and smeared with a white mask. This work addresses the collective narcissism found in extremist groups. Collective narcissism requires constant external validation, just as individual narcissism does. The constant strive to impress and to be “the best” version of themselves (an “Übermensch”) and avoids connection with anybody that does not subscribe to the group’s identity values.  In this work Unnur Andrea underlines the vanity involved when belonging to an extremist group. The work also refers to the act of balming, a ritual done with corps before burial. Is death the only way out of the image you have created for your self? 

Connection, information, unity

In “Connection, information, unity” we see the same character as from “Code lines” in an undefined white space, reading the numbers one - zero - one - one - zero in a monotone voice without looking directly into the camera. The numbers he is reading form a programming code for a sequence of instructions. The collective narcissist follows specific rules or sets of instructions in order to belong to the group. In this video however the recited string of numbers translate as the code string behind the words unity, connection and information, which are opposing concepts to the ideals that extremist groups follow. Is he aware of what he is reading? 

Hrafnhildur Gissuardóttir,  HAH editions, 2016

Special thanks to Jessy Chenal and William Bernard aka Pinkbits for realising this project.