Jónsi

Interdisciplinary artist and musician Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson (b. 1975, Reykjavik, Iceland; lives and works in Los Angeles) grounds his visual practice in material and metaphysical experimentations with sound, often through the engineering of immersive installations that reconfigure the act of listening by means of sight, smell, taste, and touch. Known for synthesizing compositions that are at once ethereal and electrifying, Jónsi employs a tonal palette ranging from ambient sounds and mechanically generated frequencies to samples from nature and his own voice in boundlessly innovative sonic arrangements. Using a perfume organ to develop new and invigorating scents, Jónsi infuses his works with earthy, atmospheric fragrances that are subtle and frequently overlooked. In concert, these seemingly invisible forces redouble on their emotive strengths, leaving the viewer anchored through corporeal engagement while simultaneously transported via their cognitive imaginary.

Since initially gaining international recognition as the lead vocalist for the Icelandic experimental rock band Sigur Rós, Jónsi has collaborated with musicians, visual artists, and filmmakers to create a robust body of work across disciplines, resulting in prestigious awards and critical acclaim. As a visual artist, his solo exhibitions include shows at the Reykjavík Art Museum; Museum of Old and New Art, Tasmania, Australia; the National Nordic Museum, Seattle; and the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada.