The subject of the driftwood in Iceland has a unique geographical history that is hidden from most observes. It can often be spotted around the northern shores of Iceland in great amounts that have accumulated throughout the years. But how did it get there and what role does it have as a direct actor of development in Iceland? The driftwood most often originated in the forests of Siberia where it had been cut down for utilization of the wood. A part of the wood made its way down rivers and into the arctic ocean where currents brought it all the way to the small island in the north Atlantic, habitated mostly by rural farmers. The resource of wood in Ice- land was already mostly depleted during the 19th century, making the abundant driftwood a welcomed resource. The aim of the project is to shed light on this unseen human connection and try to show the viewer how Icelanders utilized a surprising resource that originated from an unknown world. The story of the exhibition is the story of the driftwood, how it began its journey as a tree in the Siberian taiga and how it crossed the freezing arctic ocean and came to be a major actor in Icelandic infrastructure, development and culture. The exhibition will open in Reykjavík in late 2024 before it will be exhibited in the driftwood regions of Iceland.
