This work extends the exploration of the relationality between human and geological embodiments through collaborative movement with two other female dancers. The choreography centred on the core of the body, drawing an embodied parallel to the Earth’s own geothermal centre, the deep, heated core from which Iceland’s volcanic and geothermal forces arise. We allowed the body to contort into grotesque movements, the breath of fire and outbreath with outstretched tongue, playfully inviting the energies of goddess Kali, invoked not in solemn devotion but as a spirited nod to the unruly, transformative powers associated with her.
This performance is an immersive, participatory performance engaging various senses. We approached spectators individually, offering intimate whispers of lines from the spoken-word poem or directing warm breath toward their skin. At times, we applied pressure to their feet or leaned our bodies into theirs, testing thresholds of comfort, proximity, and responsiveness. Hands and legs were softly guided, twisted, or repositioned, inviting participants to experience relationality that is not always harmonious.
We wore combinations of nude garments and puffer jackets, a contrasting layering that resonated with both environmental and cultural references. The puffer jackets evoked by the practical necessity of engaging with Iceland’s climate and how one must layer up to meet the environment, while the nude elements recalled bodily vulnerability and exposure. This tension was further amplified through the performance of the opening lines of Calvin Harris’s “How Deep Is Your Love”, which we sang acapela.