Union of the North

One of the world’s most tenacious concepts is the idea of a father, mother and a child. The concept sits at the core of all religious beliefs, creating material for mythical interpretations such as the one relating to the unification of heaven and earth. A version of that particular narrative can be found in Greek mythology; the myth of Uranus and Saturn and their 12 off-springs who became the first Greek gods and goddesses. In Sumerian mythology, however, the sky, the earth, the first gods and the entire humanity were the work of the goddess Nammu, the eternal ocean.
In Union of the North by Matthew Barney, Erna Ómarsdóttir and Valdimar Jóhannsson, said Nammu holds a job at a shopping centre. She stands behind the counter of a Dunkin’ Donuts at closing time, fixes a golden donut in preparation of a wedding ceremony and waits for teams of excited stags and hens to arrive. This is a reality show featuring normal working people who aim at putting a new twist on an ancient ritual in an act of balance between communalism and individuality.
The film is a collaborative work by US media artist Matthew Barney, choreographer Erna Ómarsdóttier and composer and musician Vladimar Jóhannsson, both from Reykjavik.

Credits