The Azores islands are located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at the meeting point between three colliding continental plates. Volcano: What Does a Lake Dream? draws its energy from this complex tectonic region. Volcanic activity is the central force of this work, both thematically and formally: what begins as a silent documentary on the islands and their inhabitants slowly transforms into an eruptive cinematic experience in which the film itself is in danger of being destroyed. What does a lake lying over a dormant volcano dream of? When we ask it this question, this lake of fire chooses in a compelling way to retreat into the mist and, instead of responding, offers its own prediction that reveals to us what may well be a ghostly image of ourselves.

Johan Härsten