City Dwellers and Literature Dwellers

When I started reflecting upon the concept of HEIMA / home it seemed filled with endless possibilities. When looking at the generation now growing up it is noticeable that a great part of it spends its time staring red-eyed into a fabricated world which appears on the computer screen. It makes one wonder whether it is part of human nature to seek excitement or refuge in an imaginary or artificial world. In ancient times we had heroes and gods, trolls, dragons and monsters, bewitched people, elves, fairies, ghosts, witches, mermaids and giants. Later exaggerated characters appeared in operas, novels and movies and today we have aggressive figures in violent computer games which enchant so many. Some only belong in stories but they accompany us like any other flesh and blood companion in life and have a varied influence on our psyche and persona, conscious and unconscious. 

We often refer to these characters and they can become heated topics of discussion between people. Our “normal” world doesn’t seem to suffice. 

What story characters live with us/ with you? Do they dwell in the story/ book or all around?

Does everyone adher to a frame or are we constantly entering the area of others? 

I asked a few people the question:

“Who is your favourite character in a novel? “

Thordis Alda Sigurdardottir

400*45*74 cm

steel, shoes, stone

Sound: Vera Sölvadóttir og Magnús Jónsson