Anna Kolfinna Kuran

2023

Dætur presented their newest work “Dieter Forever” at Reykjavík Dance Festival 2023. It was the ten year anniversary show of the ongoing performance project Dætur, in which the duo travel back in time to 2013 to the roots of the project, into the now and onwards to a fantastic queer feminist future. The work is a reflection on ten years of queer feminist thinking, a collage of old memories, recycled ideas, personal stories, birthday cakes, a singing moving choir and utopian dreams of futures. Through text, song, choreography and play Dætur ask what has changed and where do we want to head?

Dætur (e. Daughters) is a long term performance project of artists Anna Kolfinna Kuran and Elísabet Birta Sveinsdóttir who have collaborated on various works researching queer feminism in different contexts since 2013. The artist duo presented their first stage work at Reykjavik Dance Festival in 2013, and have also made work for Sequences Art Festival 2015 and Hamraborg Festival 2022. Dætur are celebrating their ten year anniversary with their newest work “Dieter Forever” during Reykjavik Dance Festival 2023 in the Gym and Tonic venue at Kex Hostel.

Set design by Guðný Hrund Sigurðardóttir genius. Thank you for making the cakes of our dreams!

Specially handmade bow ties by SlaufHann ehf

Photos by Owen Fiene

Thank you to our sponsors Rolf Johansen & Co ehf, Nathan og Olsen and Brikk Bakery.

Thank you Lukka and Berglind for your time and hands to help assemble the cakes

This project was supported by Reykjavik City’s culture grant

Feminist Rave is a dance piece by Anna Kolfinna Kuran created in close collaboration with and performed by a group of teeangers. The work is inspired by rave culture and is a feminist utopia in which all are free to express themselves and move as they want to music of their choice. The space is theirs and together they are strong, soft and radiant each in their own way. Feminist Rave is a work where the joy of dancing and grooving are prominent.

The project was originally made in collaboration with and co-produced by Litla Systir (e. Little Sister) and premiered at Reykjavik Dance Festival 2022 with supported from the Children’s Culture Fund of Iceland. For Hamraborg Festival 2023 it was recreated as a site specific work in an underpass in Hamraborg.

Authors: Anna Kolfinna Kuran, Guðný Hrund Sigurðardóttir and Ívar Pétur Kjartansson.

Co-authors and performers: Dj Ani, Egill Árni Jónsson, Emilía Ómarsdóttir, Emilía Sól Yngvadóttir, Erna Tómasdóttir, Freyja Lárusdóttir, Flóki Dagsson, Hildur Óskarsdóttir, Iðunn Berndsen, Ísafold Salka Búadóttir, Jasmín Eva Sigurðardóttir, Kai Embl Baldurs, Katrín Einarsdottir, Klara Ævarsdóttir, Lilja Daníelsdóttir, Magdalena Arinbjörnsdóttir, Mikael Ólafsson, Pat Ferrell Berger, Sólveig Hanna Davíðsdóttir, Una Erlín Baldursdóttir, Úlfhildur Lokbrá Friðriksdóttir and ZiggyZX.

2023

Kraftverk is an improvisation dance collective formed by artists Anna Kolfinna Kuran, Elín Signý Weywadt Ragnarsdóttir, Elísabet Birta Sveinsdóttir, Gígja Jónsdóttir and Guðrún Selma Sigurjónsdóttir who all completed their BA-degrees in contemporary dance from Iceland University of the Arts in 2013. The collective has been making improvised dance performances since 2015 and for Hamraborg Festival 2023 they created a new site specific work. The piece was performed in an underpass where the dancers tackled the challenges and opportunities provided by the space. The uncertainty and exposure which the improvised method gives freedom to, is the key element in the Kraftverk’s concept. The magic is in the unpredictable which creates space for sincerity, humor, conflict and connection. The dancers wore their signature uniform, snowsuits, and in the performance they took them off and new costume layers were revealed. The aim of the performance was to create a momentary connection between the dancers, the space and the audience.

Photos by Heiðrún Fivelstad

2022

Choreography for the stage version of the danish film DRUK by Thomas Vinterberg at the Reykjavik City Theater.

Script adapted for the stage by: Thomas Vinterberg and Claus Flygare

Directed by Brynhildur Guðjónsdóttir

Performed by: Halldór Gylfason, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, Jörundur Ragnarsson and Þorsteinn Bachmann

Choreography by Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Sound design by Ísidór Jökull Bjarnason

Costumes by Fillipía Elísdóttir

Set design by Heimir Sverrisson

Lighting designer Þórður Orri Pétursson

Hair & Make-up Elín S. Gísladóttir

Icelandic translation by Þórdís Gísladóttir

Photos by Heimir Sverrisson

Show rights: Nordiska

Watch trailer here:

2022

Feminist Rave is a dance piece by Anna Kolfinna Kuran created in close collaboration with and performed by a group of teeangers. The work is inspired by rave culture and is a feminist utopia in which all are free to express themselves and move as they want to music of their choice. The space is theirs and together they are strong, soft and radiant each in their own way. Feminist Rave is a work where the joy of dancing and grooving are prominent.

The project is made in collaboration with and co-produced by Litla Systir (e. Little Sister) and Reykjavik Dance Festival 2022 and is supported by the Children’s Culture Fund of Iceland.

Authors: Anna Kolfinna Kuran, Guðný Hrund Sigurðardóttir and Ívar Pétur Kjartansson.

Co-authors and performers: Dj Ani, Egill Árni Jónsson, Emilía Ómarsdóttir, Emilía Sól Yngvadóttir, Erna Tómasdóttir, Freyja Lárusdóttir, Flóki Dagsson, Hildur Óskarsdóttir, Iðunn Berndsen, Ísafold Salka Búadóttir, Jasmín Eva Sigurðardóttir, Kai Embl Baldurs, Katrín Einarsdottir, Klara Ævarsdóttir, Lilja Daníelsdóttir, Magdalena Arinbjörnsdóttir, Mikael Ólafsson, Pat Ferrell Berger, Sólveig Hanna Davíðsdóttir, Una Erlín Baldursdóttir, Úlfhildur Lokbrá Friðriksdóttir and ZiggyZX.

Photos by Owen Fiene

Watch trailer here:

2022

Dætur performed their most recent work, a site specific dance and performance piece, at Hamraborg Festival 2022. The artist duo continue their exploration on the representation and discourse of the femme body and revolutions on social media such as #freethenipple and #metoo. The artists wanted to transfer the progress being made online into their bodies.

Along with Anna Kolfinna and Elísabet Birta there was an all gendered bare breasted choir in the performance.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran and Elísabet Birta Sveindóttir

Choir: Álfgrímur Aðalsteinsson, Birnir Jón Sigurðsson, Bjartey Elín Hauksdóttir, Eyrún Andrésdóttir, Fannar Arnarsson, Gabriel Marling Rideout, Janousch Kratz, Leevi Rauhalahti, Olivia Teresa Due Pyszko, Elín Signý Weywadt Ragnardóttir and Rúnar Örn Marinósson.

Photographs: Eva Schram

Sponsored by: Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur

Thank you to Hamraborg Festival 2022

2022

“Takeover” is a 35 minute sound- and dance performance, in which a wide spectrum of women all ages, take over the Theater Museum in Helsinki in a powerful ceremony. The space slowly fills with femme bodies, femme voices and femme energy, creating a living landscape of women. The performance at the Theater Museum in Helsinki marked the eighth Takeover experiment, a project which engages different communities of women in different spaces each time. The heart of the project are the performers and the connection they make visible between them, despite their difference in age and background. Takeover explores the power of stillness and softness in a mesmerising performance which brings the audience on a multi-sensory journey.

The performance was a part of the IceHot Nordic Dance platform in Helsinki 2022.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Performers: Veera Hyytiä, Catrin Kaitaro, Terhi Topp, Suvi Baloch, Maaria Tukiainen, Aurora Robles , Jenni Rytkönen, Sini Erkkilä, Marjo Levlin, Eija Klinga, Päivikki Rapo, Suvi-Elina Vihersalo, Outi Kuittinen, Selma Hopsu, Vappu Tuomisto, Helmiina Sippola, Inari Virmakoski, Aulikki Jylhä, Marjo Linnasalmi, Elisa Honkanen, Ritva Niskanen, Júlía Kolbrún Sigurðardóttir, Bjartey Elín Hauksdóttir, Helena Hietaniemi, Maija Saksman, Laura Kaltiainen, Marja Parviala, Emmi Myrskog, Rosa Wave, Annika Huvinen, Alessia Dal Bo and Eija Aho.

Producer: Sonjis Laine with IceHot Helsinki 2022

Photographs: Guðný Hrund Sigurðardóttir

Many thanks to the IceHot team!

2022

The play Fyrrverandi by Valur Freyr Einarsson at the City Theater in Reykjavík, premiered in April 2022.

Author and director: Valur Freyr Einarsson

Costumes and set design: Ilmur Stefánsdóttir

Music and sound design Salka Valsdóttir and Davíð Þór Jónsson

Choreography: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Lights: Ingi Bekk

Video: Ingi Bekk and Elmar Þórarinsson

Wigs, hair and make-up: Elín S. Gísladóttir and Ilmur Stefánsdóttir

Actors: Þórunn Arna Kristjánsdóttir, Halldór Gylfason, Jörundur Ragnarsson, Vala Kristín Eiríksdóttir, Katla Margét Þorgeirsdóttir and Þorsteinn Bachmann

Photographs: Íris Dögg Einarsdóttir

2021

“Takeover” is a 35 minute sound- and dance performance, in which a wide spectrum of women all ages, take over the Blue Church in Seyðisfjörður in a powerful ceremony. The space slowly fills with femme bodies, femme voices and femme energy, creating a living landscape of women. The performance at the Blue Church in Seyðisfjörður 2021 marked the seventh Takeover experiment, a project which engages different communities of women in different spaces each time. The heart of the project are the performers and the connection they make visible between them, despite their difference in age and background. Takeover explores the power of stillness and softness in a mesmerising performance which brings the audience on a multi-sensory journey.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Producer: Katla Rut Pétursdóttir with cultural association Lið fyrir Lið

Performers: Alberte Edith Rydahl, Tessa Rivarola, Benedikta Guðrún Svavardóttir, Gudrun Asta Tryggvadottir, Dagný Erla Ómarsdóttir, Nina Rifelj, Alona Perepelytsia, Kamilla Gylfadóttir, Anna Kobierowska, Bryndís Skúladóttir, Éva Magyar, Jóhanna Magnúsdóttir, Carola Mazzotti, Thelma Rut Haraldsdóttir, Lucy Jane Turpin, Josefine Ehs and Agnes Olander.

Photographs: Juanjo Ivaldi Zaldír

The project was supported by Uppbyggingarsjóður Austurlands, Menningarstyrkur Fljótsdalshéraðs, Samkaup hf, the Blue Church and the theater company in Seyðisfjörður.

Many thanks to Ágúst Magnússon and Snorri Emilsson for making the church magically pink!

2021

“Takeover” is a 35 minute sound- and dance performance, in which a wide spectrum of women all ages, take over Nordens Hus in a powerful ceremony. The space slowly fills with femme bodies, femme voices and femme energy, creating a living landscape of women. The performance at Nordic Music Days in Torshavn 2021 marked the sixth Takeover experiment, a project which engages different communities of women in different spaces each time. The heart of the project are the performers and the connection they make visible between them, despite their difference in age and background. Takeover explores the power of stillness and softness in a mesmerising performance which brings the audience on a multi-sensory journey.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Performers: Sanna á Løgmansbø, Amanda Gratton Vang, Sophilia Mukisa, Frida Samuelsen, Una Joensen, Jakobina Ellingsgaard and Anni Reinert Petersen 

Photographs: Malene Henssel

Many thanks to Nordic Music Days

2021

Takeover is a performance series by Anna Kolfinna Kuran, which aims to fill different spaces with femme energy and bodies. The work evolves around the artist’s reflections on women’s visibility in our society. In Iceland one cannot claim that women are invisible or without voice. But which women do we see and hear? Who are the women that take up space and get listened to? The idea behind Takeover is to create a platform for women of different backgrounds to unite in solidarity and strength. The work explores the power of stillness and softness and the energy created by many women coming together.

For LÁ Art Museum Anna Kolfinna has created a threefold work consisting of a video work, live performance at the exhibition’s opening and a sound piece. In the video work the women come together in solidarity, creating patterns in the architecture of the museum. A site specific video work in which the women perform mysterious ceremonies. At the opening of the exhibition on June 5th 2021, the women will invade the museum with a performance in which they refer to the actions in the video, as well as using their voice to fill up the space with their energy. They appear amongst the crowd and perform a powerful and escalating ceremony which creates a mystical and electric atmosphere. After the opening a part of the performance is reborn. The women’s voices will be recorded during the performance and put back into the space where it will become a sound piece. The video, the performance at the opening and sound piece present three independent approaches of the same idea experimenting with time and space in one red universe.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Performers: Birgitta Hreiðarsdóttir, Anna Dagmar Daníelsdóttir, Rósa Huld Sigurðardóttir, Bergþóra Einarsdóttir, Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney, Magnea Jónasdóttir, Guðrún Elínborg Guðmundsdóttir, Dísa Davíðsdóttir, Emilía Ýr Ólafsdóttir, Sigrún Elfa Reynisdóttir, Bryndís Sigurðardóttir, Erna Kanema Mashinkila, Auður Makaya Mashinkila, Anna Þóra Steinþórsdóttir, Sóley Ylja A. Bartsch, Unnur Blær A. Bartsch, Gréta Berg Th. Bergsveinsdóttir, Dögg Jónsdóttir, Tetiana Ponomarenko, Tiha Toleva, Kristín Scheving and Guðrún Sesselja Guðmundsdóttir.

Photographs by Simone de Greef

Heartfelt thanks to: Zsóka Leposa, María Csizmás, Hrafnhildur Guðmundsdóttir, Max Riley, Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson and Hrund Snorradóttir.

The project was supported by funding from Uppbyggingarsjóður Suðurlands (e. developmental funding from Iceland’s south region).

2021

Teem by Anna Kolfinna Kuran in collaboration with the dancers, was one of two graduation works for the dance students graduation from Iceland University of the Arts 2021.

Teem is a celebration of eight different women and the inner dynamics of their sisterhood. The teeming force within them propels them into different structures and landscapes. Their energy is reflected in forces of nature with its source of life, conflicts, perseverance, and cycles. They rise as mountains, harden as lava and break like ocean waves. They are the earth and the air, the water and the fire, the calm and the storm.

Choreographer: Anna Kolfinna Kuran in close collaboration with the dancers

Dancers: Amanda Líf Fritzdóttir, Anna Guðrún Tómasdóttir, Bjartey Elín Hauksdóttir, Júlía Hrafnsdóttir, Júlía Kolbrún Sigurðardóttir, Karitas Lotta Tulinius, Mathilde Mensink and Sanna Josefiina Hirvone

Composer/Sound designer: Ida Schuften Juhl

Costume and Set designer: Guðný Hrund Sigurðardóttir

Costume designer and maker: Mao Alheimsdóttir

Lighting Designer: Valdimar Jóhannsson

Video Visuals: Katerina Blahutova

Photographer: Antje Taiga Jandrig

Heartfelt thanks to: Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson, Saga Sigurðardóttir, Hrafnhildur Einarsdóttir, Elín Signý Weywadt Ragnarsdóttir

Watch the full performance here

2021

Music video for Lófatak by Daughters of Reykjavik

Directed by Ugla Hauksdóttir & Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Produced by Reykjavíkurdætur

Cinematography & Color by Markus Englmair

Edited by Ugla Hauksdóttir & Markus Englmair

Choreography by Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Watch video here

2019

“Takeover” is a 35 minute sound- and dance performance, in which a wide spectrum of women all ages, take over Iðnó in a powerful ceremony. The space slowly fills with femme bodies, femme voices and femme energy, creating a living landscape of women. The performance at Reykjavik Dance Festival 2019 marked the fourth Takeover experiment, a project which engages different communities of women in different spaces each time. The heart of the project are the performers and the connection they make visible between them, despite their difference in age and background. Takeover explores the power of stillness and softness in a mesmerising performance which brings the audience on a multi-sensory journey.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Photographs by Owen Fiene

Performers: Sigrún Perla Gísladóttir, Sanna Hirvonen, Amanda Líf Fritzdóttir, Júlía Kolbrún, Alicia Luz, Anna Kolfinna Kuran,Ine Ubben, Marta Ákadóttir, Wiola Ujazdowska, Birgitta Hreiðarsdóttir, Hrafnhildur Einarsdóttir, Svanhildur Einarsdóttir, Andrea Ágústa Aðalsteinsdóttir, Júlía Hrafnsdóttir, Hrefna Traustadóttir, Erna Arngrímsdóttir, Guðbjörg Gróa Guðmundsdóttir, Ása Valgerður Sigurðardóttir, Þórey Nína Pétursdóttir, María Rún Þrándardóttir, Inga Guðrún Sveinsdóttir, Anna Guðrún Tómasdóttir, Bjartey Elín Hauksdóttir, Olga Maggý Erlendsdóttir, Silla Leudóttir, Mira Jochimsen, Elín Helgadóttir, Kolbrún Dögg Kristjánsdóttir, Agnieszka Majka, Sylwia Bartosiak, Caroline Verdonk, Meeri Mäkinen, Flory Silva, Gudrita Lape, Mariya Solomatina, Hye Joung Park, Guðmundína Þorbjörg Kristjánsdóttir, Séra Brynhildur Óladóttir, Mathilde Mensink, Hildur Vala Einarsdóttir, Zahra Hussaini, Alicia Achaques, Kara Hergils, Snædís Lilja Ingadóttir, Dögg Jónsdóttir, Klara Þorbjörg Einarsdóttir, Ingunn Elísbet Hreinsdóttir, Wiktoria Chodakowska, Ania Jazz, Dagmara Malinowska, Elín Bryndís Snorradóttir, Svanhvít Rós Guðsteinsdóttir, Vaka Tómasdóttir, Aðalbjörg Stefanía Helgadóttir, Valgerður Rúnarsdóttir, Bryndís Nielsen, Magnea Jónasdóttir, Kanema Erna Mashinkila, Gréta Berg, Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Irini Spathi, Katarina Spathi, Sólbjört Vera Ómarsdóttir, Amelia Mateeva, Þórunn Dís and Emilie Anne Jóhannsdóttir Salvesen.

2019

This performance is a part of the “Woman Landscape: Takeover series,” by Anna Kolfinna Kuran. It is the most recent development in her ongoing research project "Woman Landscape," in which she examines, creates and gives recognition to different ideas of landscapes of women. Her primary subject is looking at the connection between space and the female body, where and how it is represented and where it is invisible. In which spaces are women welcome and safe and where aren’t they? In which spaces are women included and present and which ones are only accessible to them through intrusion or invasion? For this particular experiment the focus of the work is on bonds and solidarity between generations of women, the sisterhood. The goal of the performance was to take over the church In Borgarnes for one evening, and fill it with women through a powerful ceremony. 22 women aged 11-80 perform in this work.

The performance was a part of Plan-B Art Festival in Borgarnes in August 2019. The project received funding from Reykjavik City.

Choreography/concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Photographs by Owen Fiene

Performers: Sólveig Ásta Sigurðardóttir, Patricia Rodriguez, Séra Brynhildur Óladóttir, Eyrún Andrésdóttir, Hrund Snorradóttir, Birgtta Hreiðarsdóttir, Guðbjörg Gróa Guðmundsdóttir, Snjólaug Soffía Óskarsdóttir, Yuliana Palacios, Katie Hitchcock, Katrín Huld Bjarnadóttir, Guðlín Erla Kristjánsdóttir, Sigríður Ásta Olgeirsdóttir, Ingigerður Jónsdóttir, Margrét Grétarsdóttir, Áslaug Þorvaldsdóttir , Brynja Emilsdóttir, Röskva Sif Gísladóttir, Katerina Spathi and Anna Kolfinna Kuran.

Watch full performance on vimeo

2019

A collaboration with director Ugla Hauksdóttir, a music video to “Follow” a song by Icelandic band Bang Gang

Directed & Edited by Ugla Hauksdóttir

Producer/AD: Guðný Rós Þórhallsdóttir

Cinematography & Color: Markus Englmair

Assistant Camera: Arnór Einarsson

Hair and Make-up: Ástrós Erla Benediktsdóttir

Choreographer: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Production Assistant: Rannveig Elsa Magnúsdóttir

Equipment rental: KUKL

Performers: Óli Björn Arnbjörnsson, Ísold Davíðsdóttir Pitt, Anna Margarita Ólafsdóttir, Deníel Níls Dmitrijsson, Halldóra Hjaltadóttir, Carmen Lea Einarsdóttir, Hreggviður Dýri Helgason and Agla Bríet Gísladóttir.

Watch music video here

2019

This performance is a part of the “Woman Landscape: Takeover series,” by Anna Kolfinna Kuran. It is the most recent development in her ongoing research project "Woman Landscape," in which she examines, creates and gives recognition to different ideas of landscapes of women. Her primary subject is looking at the connection between space and the female body, where and how it is represented and where it is invisible. In which spaces are women welcome and safe and where aren’t they? In which spaces are women included and present and which ones are only accessible to them through intrusion or invasion? For this particular experiment the focus of the work is on bonds and solidarity between generations of women, the sisterhood. The goal of the performance was to take over the venue of Tjarnarbio for one evening, and fill it with women through a powerful ceremony. 50 women aged 12-80 perform in this work.

The performance was a part of the Vorblót Festival in Tjarnarbíó in collaboration with Reykjavik Dance Festival in April 2019. The project received funding from Reykjavik City.

Choreography/concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Performers: Agnes Ársælsdóttir, Dominique Gyða, Júlía Kolbrún, Ilmur Stefánsdóttir, Saga Sigurðardóttir, Mira Ida, Amanda Líf, Ragnhildur Björt, Bjartey Elín, Ósk Laufdal, Pille Pilvar, Júlía Hrafns, Sanna Hirvonen, Birgitta Hreiðars, Día Kr, Arna Sif, Kristín Theódóra, Þóra Ásbjörns, Tilly, Eyrún Ósk, Lakshmi Jacob, Nanna Hlíf, Eva María, Kanema Erna, Charmene Pang, Anna Guðrún, Karítas Lotta, Elín Signý Weywadt Ragnarsdóttir, Thelma Marín, Esther Talía Casey, Ragnheiður Eyja Ólafsdóttir, Guðbjörg Gróa Guðmundsdóttir, Brynja Emilsdóttir, Inga Huld Hákonardóttir, Sigurlaug Didda Jónsdóttir, Snæfríður Sól, Sóley Frostadóttir, Þóra Ásbjörnsdóttir, Sara Margrét Ragnarsdóttir, Inga Guðrún Sveinsdóttir, Hjördís Vilhjálmsdóttir, Birgitta Hreiðarsdóttir, Arna Kristjánsdóttir, Hildur Jónsdóttir, Áslaug, Anna Vilhjálmsdóttir, Hrefna Traustadóttir, Erna Arngrímsdóttir, Eva Thorvaldsdottir, Hrefna Harðardóttir, Sif Jónsdóttir, Ólöf G. Þráinsdóttir, Lucy Winston Jóhannsdóttir, Ráðhildur Guðrúnardóttir, Paula Mata and Anna Kolfinna Kuran.

Watch full performance on vimeo

2019

“Mengi Takover: Woman Landscape” is Anna Kolfinna Kuran’s most recent development in her ongoing research project “Woman Landscape,” through which she examines, creates and gives recognition to different ideas of landscapes of women. Her primary subject is looking at the connection between space and the female body, where and how it is represented and where it is invisible. In which spaces are women welcome and safe and where aren’t they? In which spaces are women included and present and which ones are only accessible to them through intrusion or invasion? For this particular experiment the focus of the work is on bonds and solidarity between generations of women, the sisterhood. It was Anna Kolfinna’s wish to take over the venue Mengi in Reykjavik with help from fellow female performers by filling the space with women. Through a rather simple but magical ceremony the performers did in fact create their very own landscape within the walls of the venue.

17 women between 17 and 80 years old participated in this performance.

The performance took place in Mengi in Reykjavík on January 25th 2019. The project received funding from Reykjavik City.

Choreography/concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran
Performers: Elín Signý Weywadt Ragnarsdóttir, Halla Þórðardóttir, Bjartey Elín Hauksdóttir, Álfrún Örnólfsdóttir, Gígja Jónsdóttir, Sigrid Anna Jósefsdóttir Felzmann, Erna Guðrún Fritzdóttir, Erna Gunnarsdóttir, Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Auður Bjarnadóttir, Una Björg Bjarnadóttir, Sara Margrét Ragnardóttir, Selma Reynisdóttir, Sigrún Guðmundsdóttir, Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir, Eydís Rose Vilmundardóttir and Anna Kolfinna Kuran.

Photographs by Owen Fiene

Watch full performance on vimeo

2018

“Space Invader,” is a performance that concluded Anna Kolfinna’s stay as the 2018 artist in residence at the Regional Dance Centre of Ostrobothnia. The piece was a part of “Night of the Arts,” an annual open family event in the Finnish city of Vaasa. The photo is taken in performance space, an art gallery, and as is quite evident, there is someone else’s art work covering the walls. As this performance is a part of Anna Kofinna’s bigger research project “Woman Landscape,” in which she explores the politics of space and gender, it was important to wonder about the spatial conditions she was provided with. This space was already occupied by someone else’s work which influenced the performance greatly. Performing in a space not intended for oneself, is sadly not an unfamiliar situation for a dancer. And having to squeeze into a space which is already taken, already occupied, already in someone else’s ruling is heartbreakingly, a very big part of being Woman. So how does one live or come to be in a space, a world perhaps, that does not accommodate one? By creativity and invasion. In order to exist in an already occupied space one will have to invade it. The attempt was to create her own space within the walls of this gallery. As the performance was a part of a free family event, the artist was advised and instructed not to use nudity, her body was not welcome. The artist obliged and in stead covered her body by dozens of nude colored tights, with tape across her chest, to hide any indicator of a possible gender or womanhood. One pair at a time, she shed her skin by taking of a layer of tights, which were then used to mark her own territory and create her own landscape within the gallery.

2018

“All the Sisters in me” is an hour long performance in which six young dancers aged 17-22, move the audience around the space through their healing ritual. A feminist utopia of sorts, the piece centers around the witch figure as a medicine woman and the idea of Matriarchy. Through solidarity, humility and creative force, the witches magically flow from one ritual to another, through which they bring the audience on a therapeutic journey of healing. The work is inspired by and a contribution to this moment in time, to the feminist revolution which is taking place right now, to sisterhood, to the fourth wave, to the third, second and first waves. 

The performance was a part of the “Teenager” festival produced by the Reykjavik Dance Festival in March 2018. The project was commissioned by the festival in collaboration with Forward Youth company, a youth company for dancers in Iceland. The performance took place in the Reykjavik Art Museum in March 2018 and was also a part of the Reykjavik Fringe festival in July 2018 in Tjarnarbíó.

Choreography: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Performers: Alma Kristín Ólafsdóttir, Andrea Urður Hafsteinsdóttir, Bjartey Elín Hauksdóttir,  Guðrún Mist Hafsteinsdóttir, Halldóra Ósk Helgadóttir, Lísandra Týra Jónsdóttir who were all part of Forward Youth Company.

Photographs by Owen Fiene and Carlo Cupaiolo

Watch video project/trailer created with magical team of director Ugla Hauksdóttir and DP Markus Englmair

Watch full performance

2017

Nave-Mãe is a durational performance which aims for women and femmes to come together in solidarity and claim space for their bodies/beings by taking up space out on the street. It is a slow motion silent protest in which the performers move slowly through the city in response to catcalling and other sexist street culture. This is the Brazilian adaption of a performance titled Mothership which took place in New York City in April 2017 and was Anna Kolfinna’s MA project when completing her degree in Performance Studies. The performance was a part of the Trans-In-Corporados conference and festival in Rio de Janeiro in November 2017.

17 local women and femmes performed in this challenging work which lasted three hours on the streets of Rio.

2017

Mothership is a durational performance which aims for women and femmes to come together in solidarity and claim space for their bodies/beings by taking up space out on the street. It is a slow motion silent protest in which the performers move slowly through the city in response to catcalling and other sexist street culture. This was Anna Kolfinna’s MA project when completing her degree in Performance Studies from New York University in 2017. Fourteen women took part in this performance which lasted two hours and forty minutes. The performers are what make and break the ship, they are the heart of the performance.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Performers: Chandra, Elisabeth, Avon, Helga, Brittaney, Rui, Mariana, Effie, Júlía Margrét, Allison, Amelia, Joy, Mona Lisa and Anna Kolfinna.

Photographs: Girino

Video of performance on vimeo

2016

A response to president Donald Trump winning the election in 2016. Anna Kolfinna was studying in New York during the 2016 US presidential campaign and election. What inspired and motivated the performance was the violent rhetoric regarding women and their bodies from both of the candidates, as well as other discourse around their campaigns. The piece was set in the Kimmel Windows Galleries at the corner of West 3rd Street and LaGuardia Place in Greenwich Village and was part of a group vivant tableaux performance. In The American Dream the performer poses erotically in her american flag costume, exhibiting signs with phrases taken directly from the election campaigns or inspired by them. She is the ultimate object, a true woman victim, the heart break of the american dream.

2016

This video work is a part of Anna Kolfinna’s long-term research and performance project about the effects of catcalling culture. In the video the artist attempts to portray the ultimate objectification she feels when subjected to catcalling. In a world where men treat women like objects out on the street on a daily basis, the female body seems to translate into a sex object. No matter what one does, wears or looks like. Inspired by the sexism of New York City the artist welcomes you to her Woman Landscape.

The video was premiered during a collective performance at the Kraine Theater in New York City in September 2016.

Choreography/Concept/Editing: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Cinematography: Avon Bashida

Music: Sykur and Blazroca

Watch video

This series of polaroid images is a part of Anna Kolfinna’s longterm project exploring the effects of catcalling on women and their bodies in the city of New York. The work consists of 15 images taken on a Fujifilm 210 instax camera. For the work of this piece the artist travelled the city on the subway capturing traces of the lost and invisible woman who is reduced to nothing except her glamour wear. Most of the images were taken in upper Manhattan above 125 street where the artist lived in 2016 when studying Performance Studies at New York University. This is a journey of memories throughout the city, looking for something more than just the female body, as opposed to a lot of advertising and visual media where the female body is absolutely over-exploited.

Kraftverk is Anna Kolfinna’s collaborative project with Elín Signý Weywadt Ragnarsdóttir, Elísabet Birta Sveinsdóttir, Gígja Jóndsóttir and Guðrún Selma Sigurjónsdóttir. The group is an improvisation performance collective in which movement, play, costumes, singing and snowsuits clash together in explosions of performative creations. The performances address existential questions, crises, emotional experiences and miracles.

Kraftverk had a work in progress showing in Reykjavik Dance Atalier in March 2015. The group also performed a Christmas piece called "Kraftverk gerir helgileik" in December 2015 in Mengi.

2015

This dance piece is a tribute to the women’s rights activist Bríet Bjarnhéðinsdóttir, who a hundred years ago fought so bravely for a more just society for women in Iceland. Bríet’s personal story is the inspiration for the piece as well as her achievements in the battle for women’t rights. All the performers were an active part of creating the piece along with the choreographer. Through texts, movement, music and singing the performers attempt to deliver their interpretation of Bríet.

The piece was premiered at the Reykjavik Dance Festival in 2015 and was created in conjunction with the 100th year anniversary of women’s right to vote in Iceland. The project received funding from the 100 year right to vote committee, as well as the city of Reykjavík.

Choreography/Concept: Anna Kolfinna Kuran

Performers: Anna Kolfinna Kuran, Esther Talía Casey, Gígja Jónsdóttir and Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir

Music: Vala Gestsdóttir

Costumes: Eva Signý Berger

Full performance on vimeo

2013- ongoing

Dætur (e. Daughters) is the collaborative duo of Anna Kolfinna Kuran and Elísabet Birta Sveinsdóttir, a performance art collective which explores contemporary feminism with special emphasis on the female body and its image. The project started its research work in 2012 and executed its first performance with a work in progress piece at Reykjavik Dance Festival in 2013. The project is fluid and ever expanding, always looking for ways to shed light on and fight against patriarchy, macho culture and sexism in all its various forms. The artist duo deliberately play with finding and putting themselves in the grey area of objectification by displaying their bodies, questioning the hidden thin lines be- tween subject and object, exploring the sexual, the erotic, the burden they bear and the meaning they make. The performances take on various forms, mostly through time based mediums such as physical performance, sound and durational work.