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Björk represents a unique and powerful influence in culture. As a visionary for cultural integration, her latest live film breaks down barriers yet again.
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Björk is truly enjoying herself. She has arrived in London for the premiere of her new concert film, Björk: Cornucopia, and is relishing the chance to reconnect with old friends and familiar sights. Sitting across from CLASH on a luxurious leather sofa, her dark eyes wide with excitement, she contemplates every question deeply, and responds with animated gestures and pure, childlike enthusiasm. For Björk, creativity is her essence; it’s also, to paraphrase a phrase frequently used in our conversation, “super fun!”
The film exemplifies the essence of Björk. It captures a performance in Lisbon from her Cornucopia tour, merging elements from the Icelandic artist’s extensive catalog with her latest work; it intricately blends her remarkable, soul-stirring performance style with cutting-edge technology that leaves even tech giants behind. Nothing is overlooked, everything is revealed, and the stage is alive with energy.
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“Emotionally, everything had to feel right,” she shares. “Creating every animation involved a lot of effort. It had to resemble synesthesia, perfectly aligned with the songs and the emotions being conveyed. There are countless little details like that, as it’s been our project for five years.”
The tour reflects the collective sentiments of the pandemic and the desire to reconnect. For Björk, the lockdown experience was challenging but also a gift; leaving the United States marked her first extended stay in Reykjavik for quite some time, allowing her to re-ground herself. “What do you do when you have two homes? You end up with duplicates; two blenders, two ovens, two encyclopedias. I sorted through my belongings and donated half to Ukrainian and Syrian refugees. It was quite therapeutic.”
“Our life in Iceland remained relatively unchanged,” she reminisces. “I cherished the two years when I didn’t have to fly! While that might not be good news for everyone, as a musician who tours frequently, it felt like a luxury. Waking up in your own bed every day is such a privilege.” Once the pandemic eased, Björk began preparing for the future. Restarting her Cornucopia tour, which had been interrupted by COVID, she continued at the cutting edge of stylistic innovation and digital advancement. The set list underwent a significant revision, with the artist describing the production—a grand mix of digital animation and 19th-century theatrics—as “a magic lantern show.” She elaborates, saying, “the essence of ‘Cornucopia’ was to bring VR from the 21st century to the 19th-century stage… taking it out of the headset.”
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The shows also served as a means of reconnecting. Since her 2015 album ‘Vulnicura’—her first collaboration with frequent studio partner Arca—Björk has ventured in vastly different directions. While ‘Vulnicura’ explored heartbreak and loss, 2017’s ‘Utopia’ embraced playfulness and sensuality. 2022’s ‘Fossora’ changed the dial once again, delving into deep emotions surrounding grief and featuring contributions from her children. She admits to being “quite protective” of ‘Vulnicura’ due to its familial connections. Instead of embarking on a traditional tour, she turned to VR, describing it as “a private opera for one,” a deeply personal heartbreak album meant for an intimate experience. Conversely, ‘Utopia’ invited celebration, pushing her to present it on stage, declaring, “I was really into play, you know? This is fun! I had a great time with Arca and James Merry, wanting to explore 360 experiences both in sound and visuals.”
The Cornucopia experience rapidly expands on both of these impulses. Björk characterized it to the New York Times as “a sci-fi pop concert,” and it’s understandable why; it is incredibly ambitious, genuinely transporting viewers to a different magical dimension. Throughout the creative process, Björk again collaborated with James Merry, who endeavored to keep pace with her swift imagination for the stunning staging. The technology employed saw her partner with various forward-thinking companies, single-handedly redefining what a pop concert can look and sound like. “Sorry, I feel a bit shy,” she chuckles while mentioning key figures in the tech industry. “I’m a punk—money and logos aren’t my thing! It was more like… an exchange!”
“I absolutely love that feeling you get when you’re surrounded by people exploring new uncharted territories,” she expresses. “The novelty of it is quite endearing—it’s like a punk vibe!” At the heart of her performances, however, lies the same drive for communication that has propelled Björk throughout her diverse creative journey. It’s important to remember she transitioned
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--- Björk is a unique influence in culture. As an emblem of cultural fusion, her latest live film breaks down boundaries once more. --- Björk