SÍM Artist Residency - Group exhibition poster photography and design
Selected Karaoke101 video’s
In what was the most fun (but also challenging) community event I have ever coordinated—and while being completely new to Reykjavík—I began by reaching out to various Icelandic bands, asking if they would be willing to donate a song (without vocals). In return, I would create a karaoke video for each track. The idea was to then invite all the participating musicians to a special karaoke event during Airwaves, where they would perform each other’s songs.
I had always loved karaoke, often spending an hour or two with friends on a weekend night out. I was also familiar with the art of karaoke videos—their low-budget aesthetic, the sometimes bizarre, cheesy and unrelated visuals, and the wonderfully awkward charm they could have. As a fan of independent films and B-grade cinema, I fully embraced this style.
Once I had all the bands locked in, I began filming and editing during the residency and continued filming while traveling to and from Australia before returning to Reykjavík for the final performance a few months later. The event was very well received, and the artists arrived enthusiastically, ready to belt out each other’s songs. I remember Daði Freyr (then in the band Retrobot) being particularly excited to perform Bloodgroup’s song My Arms. Before taking the stage he said, “I’m going to smash this.” And he did.
Much thanks to the following bands who participated:
And thanks to all the lovely folk, old friends and new friends for featuring in a video or helping to make one. Big thanks to Rik McNair, Jurga Latvyte and Victoria Waghorn especially.