If you are a fan of Björk, you need to get to Montreal.
The city is hosting Björk Digital, the North American premiere of an exhibition celebrating the Icelandic singer’s unique artistry.
Running until Nov. 12 at DHC/ART in Old Montreal, the exhibition consists of three distinct visual experiences set up in two separate buildings.
Björk Cinema is a large room that invites visitors to relax as they watch up to 30 of the singer’s music videos on a big screen.
Down the hall is a room with tables holding rows of tablets that allow fans to experience the innovative apps created for 2011’s project Biophilia, which has been made part of the educational curriculums of Scandinavia.
The real draw, though, is the virtual reality (VR) exploration of Vulnicura, Björk’s 2015 album of songs shaped by her split from U.S. artist Matthew Barney.
“It felt natural to foot soldier into the private circus that virtual reality is, with material like this,” Björk explains in a message to visitors.
“VR is not only a natural continuity to the music video but has an even more intimate theatrical potential.”
In three different spaces within the building, visitors don VR headsets to immerse themselves in “Black Lake,” “Stonemilker,” “Mouth Mantra” and “Quicksand.” The journey culminates with “Family” (which is premiering in Montreal), an interactive VR experience.
Björk Digital, presented by Red Bull Music Academy and Phi, was organized by the Manchester International Festival. Executive producer Paul Clay said he worked closely with the 50-year-old singer on the exhibition, which debuted in Sydney before traveling to Tokyo and London. (It opens in Reykjavik on Nov. 2.)
“She is very clear about what she wants,” he said.
With a $20 admission charge ($13 for students), Björk Digital will appeal mostly to fans of the singer.
If you get motion sickness from VR; if you are a germaphobe (you’ll be touching tablet screens and wearing headsets); or if you are not open to the Björk sound — this isn’t the exhibition for you.
Björk Digital runs daily (except Mondays) from 12 noon to 7:30 p.m. until Nov. 12. For more information, click here.
Björk will be in Montreal on Oct. 25 and 26 for DJ sets at Cirque Eloize.