Acclaimed Icelandic artist Björk is set to release a mesmerizing photo book chronicling her elaborate Cornucopia Tour, which captivated audiences across the globe between 2018 and 2023.
The Cornucopia Tour was an extraordinary musical experience, described by Björk as a “sci-fi pop concert.” It began with an initial residency at The Shed in Manhattan, before embarking on a worldwide journey, featuring a collaboration with the esteemed Iceland’s Hamrahlid Choir. This highly elaborate production marked a new chapter in Björk’s experimental musical endeavors.
Now, fans will have the opportunity to relive this unforgettable experience through Cornucopia: The Book, a visually stunning 480-page photo book capturing the tour’s highlights. Renowned photographer Santiago Felipe has compiled hundreds of breathtaking photographs that showcase the production’s otherworldly visuals and spellbinding performances. The softcover book boasts a flap cover and glossy pages, accompanied by a 16-page bonus booklet.
Björk has shared her vision behind the tour and the upcoming book, highlighting her desire to push the boundaries of live performances by integrating cutting-edge technology and fascinating storytelling. “Before this tour, I spent a decade working with 360-degree sound and visual software in virtual reality and animation, creating Biophilia, the first app album, and later Vulnicura as a VR album. I was deeply inspired by the idea of a fully-immersive experience, spending a spring in an Icelandic lighthouse, spreading Utopia into fully surround speakers.”
She further explained her creative process, “My intention was to bring what we had created for 21st-century VR into a 19th-century theatre—taking it from the headset to the stage. This vision was realized with 27 moving curtains that captured projections on different textures and LED screens, creating a digitally animated show: a modern lanterna magica for live music.”
Björk also expressed her interest in showcasing custom-built instruments, including a magnetic harp, an aluphone, a circular flute, and a reverb chamber. Her aim was to produce a captivating, one-of-a-kind experience by seamlessly weaving music with visual narrative. As she elaborated, “I also wanted to feature bespoke instruments: a magnetic harp, an aluphone, a circular flute, and a reverb chamber, specially built with an audio architect to enhance the most intimate version of a performance - in a personal chapel.”
A parallel narrative woven into the production follows the transformative journey of an avatar, who evolves from a marionette-like state to a fully healed being. This symbolic thread offers an additional layer of depth to the Cornucopia Tour, highlighting Björk’s dedication to crafting a unique, multidimensional experience.
Cornucopia: The Book will be released on November 15, providing an exceptional opportunity for fans to delve into the magical world of Björk’s most elaborate production to date.