THE WAY – PERFORMATIVE PILGRIMAGES
The Way is a performance piece that invites participants on a pilgrimage where connections to the environment and community take center stage. Each walk is site-specific, shaped by the stories, landscapes, and values of the location. The Way creates space for reflection and experience, where nature, human-made spaces, and the human being itself become part of a performative dialogue.
We Do Everything for Love
In times of climate crisis and increasing disconnection, where fear of the future is growing, performance art can create spaces to strengthen relationships, nurture care, and foster existential sustainability.
The work is based on the idea that the most powerful motivation for changing lifestyles and consumption habits stems from love—love for future generations who will inherit the Earth and love for the more-than-human: mountains, streams, birds, and flowers.
The Way explores pilgrimage as a method for deepening connections—with the Earth, with society, and with ourselves. A pilgrimage is both an outward and inward journey.
Ways to Embark:
Participants can engage with The Way in two formats:
- Guided Group Walk – A structured walk where a group experiences the journey together.
- Self-Guided Walk – After the guided tours, the walk can be downloaded here below for people to experience the piece on their own terms, alone or with others.
The walks are open to all and suitable for all ages.
The Way is part of Beautiful, a performance art project exploring sustainability and connection.
Leiðin – Vatnsmýrin
A performative pilgrimage through Vatnsmýrin, Reykjavík
On June 12 and 14, performance artists Steinunn Knúts Önnudóttir and Kolbrún Dögg Kristjánsdóttir invite guests to take part in The Way – a performative pilgrimage through Vatnsmýrin wetland in Reykjavík. In the spirit of pilgrimage, participants travel not only through a place but also toward themselves. Through guided reflections, sensory observations, and easy tasks, the way invites awareness of our connection to the surrounding environment. The journey begins and ends at the Nordic House and is open to people of all ages and varying abilities.
This work is part of a series of performative pilgrimages that Steinunn is developing around the country and through inner landscapes. Each journey is created in collaboration with people who are connected to the place or theme at hand. The Way explores the relationship between humans and their environment, rooted in ideas of existential sustainability and belonging. Each iteration is shaped by the terrain it travels through and takes the form of guided group walks and self-led journeys, following downloadable itinary and map available on the project website.
The Way is part of a larger project led by Steinunn with the newly founded Fagurferðir, a spiritual travel agency that offers performative experiences combining aesthetics, reflection, and transformative experiences, grounded in art, nature, and philosophy. Other walks in the series will take place in Kjós, Ásbyrgi, and Hallormsstaður. The final pilgrimage will be an audio piece designed for those unable to travel, offering a journey through the inner realm.
The Reykjavík edition is specifically designed with accessibility in mind. Kolbrún Dögg, who co-creates the work, uses a wheelchair and brings lived experience and perspective to the piece.
Walk dates and times:
The journey starts at The Nordic House.
• Thursday, June 12, 14:00–16:00
• Saturday, June 14, 14:00–16:00
The journey is approximately 2.5 kilometers and takes 90–120 minutes. Light refreshments will be offered along the way. The route follows paved walkways and sidewalks, with about 10% on fine gravel paths. The guided walk will be in icelandic but an english and danish version of the work can be accessed through the projects website https://en.fallegt.com/the-way/.
To register, send an email to fallegt@fallegt.com, indicating your preferred date and number of participants. Group bookings for english or danish tours are available by arrangement.
Leiðin – Ásbyrgi
Leiðin – Ásbyrgi 26th – 29th June.
Leiðin – Kjós
Leiðin – Kjós 19th and 20th July.
Leiðin – Hallormstaður
Leiðin – Hallormstaður 7th – 10th August.