A few days ago, my bonus sister Nadia and I visited Nordatlantens Brygge in Copenhagen, a cultural forum displaying art by North Atlantic artists. The location is probably more known for its Michelin starred restaurant Noma, however, those with an interest in Scandinavian art might also have heard of, or even visited, the neighboring Trondur Paursson art installation, Cosmic Room.

Cosmic room is a large dome, not unlike an igloo, made from coloured glass plates and mirrors shaped in geometrical shapes and mounted on a metal frame. The dome is large enough for an adult to stand upright when inside it.

It’s colours are mainly kept in the colours characteristic of the North Atlantic ocean and sky, being white, blue and black with the occasional shimmer of dep red, green and yellow. The arrangement and shape of the mirrors and glass, with aid from the sun light penetrating the glass walls, create an kaleidoscopic visual display of colours, light and shadows. In effect the space inside the room is magnified resulting in an infinity of reflections when looking up and into the mirrors in the ceiling while lying on the mirror floor.

We felt ourselves floating away, disappearing into in the spectacular display of blues and whites. The many reflections makes it easy to detach oneself from being the observer, loosing touch with the ground for a moment, as when falling through the empty space in a near dream.

If only the room had sound. The sounds of ice melting and breaking, the wind over the large flat icy planes, wooden houses or even light rain hitting snow. Had there been sounds like that, or a binaural recording that I could listen to in my very own favourite headphones, then I would indeed still be inside the Cosmic Room, making peace with the universe and all.

I think Trondur hears some beautiful North Atlantic sounds when he sets up his Cosmic Room. I wouldn’t mind asking him one day. Generally, I find, that strong visual impressions, especially colourful ones, they never go alone. It is as if a colour has a sound, and perhaps even a slight smell and a tactile sensation too.

As there was no sound, this post will be photos only. One day, I hope to record some North Atlantic sounds to match the beautiful and spectacular experience that I had inside the Cosmic Room.

BTW Nadia is an asipring photographer and when she gets around to putting her photos online, then I will put up a link so that you can see her work too.

Bye for now – see you in another space and time I hope!

Setup

I used a Canon EOS 350D to capture the stills.

To save space I have left out the EXIF info on the photos. But please do write me if you are interested in knowing more about any of the photos.