Lifespan

Lifespan is an ongoing photo series that addresses waste in the Icelandic construction industry. The construction industry has greatly affected climate change and global warming worldwide. In the EU, this industry is believed to be responsible for about 40% of all energy consumption and carbon emissions. According to research, up to 30% of the weight of construction material that arrives on construction sites leaves again in the form of waste. Lifespan is presented in the spirit of 16th century Dutch still life paintings, lined up in familiar surroundings of such images, on a cloth-covered table, with lighting that emphasizes the main subjects. Dutch 16th century still life painting can be interpreted in two different ways. On the one hand, the traditional religious interpretation, that is, the fruits and flowers that represent life and remind us that we are all mortal. The other interpretation is that the objects in the pictures symbolize class and status. They show prosperity and Dutch colonialism. Exotic fruits, textiles, and vases from around the world are often found in these paintings. The work Lifespan deals with both interpretations. The objects in the photos, which are scraps from construction sites in the form of off-cuts, packaging and disposable building materials, are all imported and therefore represent prosperity and development in Icelandic society. They also have a certain lifespan, both long and short. They are made from materials that take a long time to break down in nature but are only used for a short time during the construction period. They are also imported from various places around world like the objects presented in the Dutch paintings. The photo frames are made from hardwood waste saved from disposal. The material has thus acquired a new purpose through reuse. The lifespan of this material has therefore been lengthened.