DAUGHTERS OF VALHALLA:
Daughters of Valhalla is an ongoing project developed by Monica Winther and Kjersti Vetterstad. Völuspá; (The prophecy of the Völva) which is the first, and most well known poem in the collection of old Norse poems, is used as point of departure.
In Norse pagan times, the völvas were priestesses committed to practices which encompassed shamanism, sorcery, prophesy, and other forms of indigenous magic. Historical and mythological depictions of Völvas show that they were held in high esteem by mortals and gods alike.
In Völuspá a völva tells Odin; king of the gods, of her early memories of the creation of the world, and of her foreseeing of the murder of the god Balder. The death of the beloved god, she relates, will in turn lead to a final war and to Ragnarök; the end for gods and men.
In contemporary Norse society, völvas are career women who have released themselves from their family bonds and womanly duties, in order to travel the world to share their knowledge and wisdom. Because of their magical powers, they are summoned in times of crisis, something that has lead to their immense authority and to their increasingly high service charges.
Daughters of Valhalla at Moti Ragnarokum, Atrium Gallery, Tallinn
Daugthers of Valhalla at Moti Ragnarokum, Atrium Gallery, Tallinn
Daudi Baldrs, Brouchures on display at the exhibition Moti Ragnarokum.
What once was, poster on display at the exhibition Moti Ragnarokum.
The Giants of Yore - video work, at the exhibition Moti Ragnarokum.