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The Brooklyn Museum

Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
Feminist Art Base: Joan Jonas




Volcano Saga

Joan Jonas. Volcano Saga, 1989.

Description:
Based on the thirteenth-century Icelandic Laxdeala Saga, this narrative reverie is a televisual retelling of a medieval myth about a young woman (played by Tilda Swinton) whose dreams foretell the future. Shot in the dramatic natural landscapes of Iceland and in New York, this performance-based work uses ancient dream analysis as a starting point for a densely textured tale, in which the young woman's interpreter (played by Ron Vawter) hears her dreams and sees their meaning. Jonas employs multilayered digital effects to create a ritualistic dreamscape of the young woman's imagination and desires. The ghostly overlays, otherworldly images and mythical text imbue Volcano Saga with a haunting beauty.

Medium:
Video

Tags:
video, Ritual, Digital Effect, Iceland, Dream Analysis, Dream

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Joan Jonas

Images
The Shape, The Scent, The Feel of ThingsWolf Lights Lines in the SandGlass Puzzle Volcano SagaOrganic HoneyMirror Check

Videos
Volcano SagaVertical RollLines in the Sand

Location
New York, NY
USA

Contact
550 West 21 Street
New York, NY 10011
USA
jjonas@mit.edu