Paper short abstract:

The paper revolves around human/bird relations and current ecological developments, including the possible extinction of iconic animals such as the Atlantic puffin. Particular attention is given to how contemporary Icelandic artists engage with the puffin as a harbinger with dark ecological message.

Paper long abstract:

Through visual analysis and multi-species ethnography this paper sheds light on current human/animal relations and ecological developments within the Arctic region. These developments include increased human and more-than-human mobility, climate change and massive extinction of wild animals, frequently described as the sixth mass extinction (Kolbert, 2014). Among some of the iconic animals that have recently been listed as endangered is the Atlantic puffin (Birdlife, 2021). In Europe, the population size is estimated to have decreased by 68% over the past 50 years. The paper investigates visual and material representations of the Atlantic puffin within the context of art, tourism and museums. Particular attention is given to contemporary Icelandic artists and how they engage with the puffin as a complex naturecultural symbol and harbinger with dark and gloomy ecological message. The title of the paper is a statement given by one the visitors who attended the performance Sliceland - The Westest Pizza in Europe! by Curver Thoroddsen at Látrabjarg, the largest bird cliff in Europe and a major tourist attraction in Iceland.