ISLANDIC.SCAPES
Land Art & Environmental Design Workshop
Immersive workshop on Land Art & Environmental Design
The diversity and uniqueness of the Icelandic landscape describe it as a sensitive and fragile territory of significant planetary ecological, heritage and aesthetic value. A dynamic landscape in which physical, biological and cultural interactions constantly shape this unique territory.
In-situ experiential workshop exploring Iceland's natural environment: water, in the form of glaciers, rivers, geysers and lakes; fire, embodied by volcanoes, lava fields and basalt rocks; air, shaped by intense wind, open sky horizons and pure northern atmosphere; and earth, characterized by extensive meadows, rugged mountains and fertile wetlands.
An experiential workshop focused on exploring, understanding and conceptualizing the territory through various land art and nature-based design approximations. This includes sensory immersion in Andakill scenery, where participants explore and develop projects that foster coexistence between humans and the Icelandic natural environment.
The site-oriented workshop is proposed as a cross-disciplinary approach, led by practitioners and academics in the national and international context, aimed at students from diverse fields.
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge about Icelandic landscapes and their unique characteristics.
- Approaches for integrating artistic expression with environmental sustainability.
- Methods for working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
- Strategies for engaging with and responding to the natural landscape in design.
- Techniques for creating site-specific Land Art using natural materials.
Who can participate
The Summer Workshop on Land Art is a multidisciplinary international program open to students pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in environmental design disciplines, art, architecture, environmental sciences, and related fields.
Field Excursion
The workshop also features an excursion to a natural site in Iceland, more details will be published soon.
Workshop Schedule (preliminary)
The workshop will take place in the summer of 2025, from July 31 to August 10, and includes the following phases:
PHASE 1: Arrival & Introduction
- Day 1 – Friday, July 31
- Arrival of participants
- Day 2 – Saturday, August 1
- Introduction to the workshop and its content
- Walk around the campus
- Ice-breaking activities
PHASE 2: Context & Exploration
- Day 3 – Sunday, August 2
- Morning: Introductory lectures on Icelandic context, land art, and genius loci
- Team organization based on the four elements: fire, water, air, and earth
- Site visit de cada equipo to the intervention areas
- Preliminary ideas and brainstorming in teams
PHASE 3: Project Development – From Ideas to Implementation
- Day 4 – Monday, August 3
- Concept development by each team inspired by the one of the four elements and focused on artistic and environmental approaches
- Definition of projects to be developed by each team, concepto, materialidad, proceso de ejecución, organización de equipo para el desarrollo
- presentación de ideas a implementar
- Day 5 – Tuesday, August 4
- Beginning of in-situ Land Art projects. Site-specific works inspired by the four elements
- Day 6 – Wednesday, August 5
- Mid-program excursion: Group visit to a natural site in Iceland
- Days 7 & 8 – Thursday, August 6 & Friday, August 7
- Continuation of Land Art projects
- Day 9 – Saturday, August 8
- Attendance in the Hvanneyri Festival
PHASE 4: Conclusion & Presentation
- Day 10 – Sunday, August 9
- Finalization of the works
- Guided itinerary presenting each team’s project
Evento final de clausura
- Day 11 – Monday, August 10
- Departure of participants
ECTS credits | 3 |
Course term | 31 July - 10 August 2025 |
Online event | TBA |
Capacity | 20 students |
Useful information when travelling to Iceland
Are you wondering what kind of weather you can expect in August, what a yellow alert may mean, and where it is announced? Or, maybe you are not sure if you need any cash... and what about the volcanoes?
Don´t worry, here you can find links and a comprehensive overview which will make you an expert on travelling to Iceland!
Website/App | Content | Link |
|---|---|---|
MUST HAVE SafeTravel | Operated by ICE-SAR — The Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue provides secure and well-sourced information for travellers about Icelandic conditions and safety. An app for Android and iPhone is available. It is important as it will send regular updates information and alerts if something BIG happens. Please install it to your smartphones. | |
Vedur.is Weather | Vedur is the website of the Icelandic Met Office, and here you can check the weather forecast as well as the weather related alerts. We have three levels of these alerts in Iceland: Yellow - Orange - Red. | |
Road.is | Vegagerðin – Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration – IRCA. The state of roads is one of the most popular topics of complaint amongst Icelanders, alongside the weather. IRCA operates a very useful website with regularly updated road closures and conditions. Check the conditions before you decide to enjoy that road trip! Mountain roads (F roads) are accessible only by 4x4 vehicles. | |
Clothing | The weather in Iceland changes quickly, and the seasons blend into one another. Here is some advice on packing for your Iceland trip - before you try squishing your entire closet into a suitcase. August may be fairly windy, and it can be raining a lot too. | |
Emergency | In an emergency, call 1-1-2. You can dial +354 112 or contact the service via webchat: Webchat with the emergency operator is available at the link on the right. Citizens of EEA countries should not forget to bring their EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card), which is accepted in Iceland. |
Should you worry about the ongoing volcanic activity?
The local currency is Icelandic Króna (plural Krónur): ISK
Bank cards are accepted basically everywhere, and you can use your phone for contactless transactions during your travels in Iceland. Cash is not used as much but is accepted.
