Björk’s 'virtual reality' video for "Stonemilker" debuts simultaneously across the Atlantic

The Icelandic musician chose these places to celebrate the physical release of new album Vulnicura.

Collaborator Andrew Huang said this about the video:

“We captured "Stonemilker" in November on the westernmost tip of Reykjavik, an island called Grótta on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula, which is the very site by the lighthouse where she wrote the song and recorded much of Vulnicura. After arriving in Iceland with a variety of camera gear and open minds, and after my in-depth conversations with Bjork at her home about the circular nature of the song, we spontaneously decided to shoot a performance of "Stonemilker" on the beach where it was written, using the 360 VRSE.works camera with the intent of capturing an intimate performance for virtual reality in the round.

"Grótta was a challenging location, as our only access to the island was a rocky narrow beach frequently covered by a swift moving tide easily stranding anyone who didn't keep watch of the clock. We only had time to plan the shoot the night before, and only 2 hours of filming due to the tide, and captured the performance in just a few takes.

"Because of the all-seeing nature of this camera, my whole crew and I ducked behind boulders, leaving Bjork alone with the camera, not knowing what we would be ultimately capturing. All I remember is staring at the pearlescent purple seashells beneath my feet throughout the takes listening to her strings reverberating against the wet tidepool rocks, popping my head up occasionally to steal glances of Bjork in her duet with the camera.

"The spontaneity of the experience contrasted the months of planning and designing "Black Lake," shot in Iceland only a few months before in August. My experience with Bjork that summer involved her wearing a fitted sculptural black dress, pounding her chest in frigid temperatures, reliving her separation on camera while kneeling in a jagged ravine carved away by glaciers.

"The woman we found in November was much different: her home was adorned with lilac candles, the air was moist and thick with neon yellow garments hanging and the tables covered in creamy lilac latex. There was a feeling of soft, translucent skinlike textures everywhere, evoking a sense of healing, molting and nakedness. This was the new Bjork we captured in "Stonemilker.""

Bjork’s new album Vulnicura is out now on vinyl and CD.