Laugavegurinn, Reykjavik Arts Festival, Start Art Gallery, Reykjavik, Iceland, 2009

LAUGAVEGURINN – Performance – installation, 2009

The washerwomen´s walk – A stroll into history was a performance installation organized by START ART gallery in Reykjavik, commemorating all the women of Reykjavik who, in past, washed their laundry in the hot springs in Laugardalur. Anyone who wished to honour their memory was invited to take part. The project was a present from START ART to all the citizens of Reykjavik. The walk started at 1 pm from Laekjartorg Square,( Reykjavik´s downtown square) process up Laugavegur (‘‘Hot Spring Road‘‘) and into Laugardalur (‘‘The Hot Springs Valley‘‘), ending at the old Washing Springs. Participants were asked to bring with them an article of clothing or bedding, which linked walkers together in a continuous stream. Many events and happenings were at the beginning and end of the walk, and along the way. And artworks by 36 artists were installed both inside and outside the houses along Laugavegur.

Thordis Alda · Washerwomen´s walk and talk

Washerwomen's Walk and Talk |audio installation|

Hey, you are only an old washing machine, - didn't you at one time or other wish to become something else than a washing machine ?

Well, I suppose so, but I can´t remember. But that is what I am: an old washing machine. That is how it is.

Well that is quite obvious, at least you look like one. Have you always been standing there in the same place?

Yes, at least I think so

And been as fat? ...and have you always been stuffed full like this? Always with such a lot of dirty laundry?

Well, usually I find my life rather monotonous, but still I try to see something positive about the world. At one time I wanted to become a singer.

Really....?

I think I could have sung well, - probably been suffering from stage fright, however. So somehow I became this washing machine, - my destiny... or that is my guess.

Yes, it is so difficult in the long run to suffer from stage fright, it is also very bad for one's stomach. Your stomach looks rather big. Doesn't it bother you?

Well, I can't say I think much about it. It does bother you, doesn't it?

I just like to show off, you see?

I am always in this same place and either I am boiling or splashing water to and from, - some dirty water with laundry. Day in and day out.

Well, well....

Sometimes I feel like I don't know whether to shake from right to left or from left to right. One is shaking all the time and turned on even at night.

Have you become completely confused or what? I mean, has your programme been messed up? The system failed???

Yes, probably, but what about you? How long have you been here? Perhaps you are not aware of that you are a washing machine too?

Me... am I? Well, yes, I can actually see it now when I see my reflection in you. But haven't you become bored with ONLY being a washing machine? It would be nice to be a dryer too...

What..! What do you mean?

Don't take it personally. It is just so great to be something more than just one thing.

I have never really thought about what I really am. Do you mean what kind of washing machine I am or how many programmes, litres and such??? ...... I have completely lost interest in such speculations.

I prefer being three or four things or many more, At least a diver, forestry specialist or a swan.

I always wanted to be a singer, dolphin or artist... and a sheep in summer.

Which do you think is more fun to be a sheep in summer or an artist all year??

It is impossible to say! I am a washing macine and so are you, you know exactly what I mean.

Voices / Performers: Björk Bjarnadóttir og Sigríður Eyrún Friðriksdóttir

Record: Magnús Jónsson

Presentation of The Book "Laugavegurinn":

Washerwomen´s walk and talk