Focus Westfjords
Summary
This photo documentary project, by collaborators and artists Agúst Atlason and Matt Willen, chronicles life in Iceland’s rural Westfjords from an insider and outsider’s perspective, aiming to provide a glimpse into the little-known region.
Project Description
A documentary of inhabitants in the rural Westfjords of Iceland, this photo project gives viewers insight into this fascinating region of fishing villages and native Icelanders. After a fortuitous meeting in the Westfjords region during another documentary trip, Willen and Atlason conceived of this project to provide a glimpse into this little-known area from both an insider’s (Atlason) and outsider’s (Willen) perspective. In light of recent media surrounding Icelanders after the country’s economic meltdown, Willen and Atlason felt it important to portray the life of native inhabitants as it truly is in rural Iceland. Capturing the industrious lifestyle of these traditional peoples, Altalson and Willen have created a celebration of rural Iceland, showing viewers the tenacity and zeal of natives in the Westfjord region.
Focus Areas
Project Partners
Project Goals
- To provide an accurate chronicling of life , and celebrate the inhabitants in the rural Westfjorfds region of Iceland.
Process and Methods
With support from Elizabethtown College in the US, Menningarráð Vestfjarða local Cultural Center and Foundation, and the University Center of the Westfjords, Willen and Atlason have created a rich collection of photos and stories. Willen’s several lengthy trips to Iceland to collaborate with Atlason have resulted in a vast library of images and narratives about the people of the Westfjords region. Displayed on their website, these image are split into categories of People, Work, Towns, Culture, and Landscape, each feature containing descriptive and narrative text along with the images. Willen and Atlason include the stories they gathered from the people of Westfjord to provide a richer glimpse into the unique lifestyles of the inhabitants. The website also features a blog where WIllen and Atlason share personal stories and thoughts from their experiences in the Westfjords. Working to create an exhibition to be displayed in Iceland and the US, Willen and Atlaston also hope to eventually compile their photos and stories into a book.
Key Stakeholders and Participants
- Inhabitants of Iceland's rural Westfjords region
Costs and Resources
A photo-documentary project of this scale requires significant resources for travel, photo equipment, and production.
Associated Costs
- Facilitation
- Project Management
- Supplies
Sources
- Focus Westfjords, http://focuswestfjords.com/about/, accessed 12/1/11.
Submitted By:
h.orcutt
Last Updated: December 1, 2011, 12:14 pm
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