…Be water, my friend.” – Bruce Lee
OCEAN, as a theme of PGN 2015, is not a limitation, but an opportunity to dissolve boarders and boundaries, to "become like water", to submerge a rigid landmass, to look at OCEAN as a way of action, philosophical paradigm, world of folklore, post-human ecology, or as a mass of water.
PAPAY GYRO NIGHTS ART FESTIVAL / video art, sound art, experimental film, music and architecture / is taking a place in unique settings of extreme remoteness of the island Papa Westray (aka Papay, or Papey in Meiri), and in the time of extreme winter weather conditions. The idea of the festival has originated from the ancient Papay tradition of The Night of The Gyros (or Gygr, Gryla, Grylur, Grøleks, Skeklers as its know in other Nordic countries), which until the beginning of 20th century was celebrated on the island in the first full moon of February. Against as reconstructing what is gone and almost forgotten, the Festival is a reflection on the folktale, the island’s landscape and heritage, as well as interpretation of tradition and ritual, through new developments in art and architecture. The Festival is a research lab, learning hub and the place for a discussion about interaction between new media and ideas in relation to tradition, ritual and island’s landscape and heritage. During the Festival the Island is transformed into the art space and artworks are screened and exhibited in old farm buildings, boat house, workshops, ruins and open landscape.
PAPAY GYRO NIGHTS in HONG KONG is representing independent artist-run projects from Iceland, Finland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Scotland and bringing to Hong Kong a unique selection of Video and Sound Art, Experimental Film and Music and also series of workshops and talks by philosopher, anthropologist and artists in residency.