Brief
Unbind is a music video exploring how visitors can unintentionally disregard fragile environments.
In Iceland, rising tourism and off-trail movement have caused lasting damage to sensitive landscapes such as moss fields and geothermal terrain—ecosystems that can take decades to recover. These small moments of contact accumulate into long-term ecological impact, framed here as a symbolic “curse” formed through repeated disregard.
Brief
Unbind is a music video exploring how visitors can unintentionally disregard fragile environments. In Iceland, rising tourism and off-trail movement have caused lasting damage to sensitive landscapes such as moss fields and geothermal terrain—ecosystems that can take decades to recover. These small moments of contact accumulate into long-term ecological impact, framed here as a symbolic “curse” formed through repeated disregard.
Brief
Unbind is a music video exploring how visitors can unintentionally disregard fragile environments. In Iceland, rising tourism and off-trail movement have caused lasting damage to sensitive landscapes such as moss fields and geothermal terrain—ecosystems that can take decades to recover. These small moments of contact accumulate into long-term ecological impact, framed here as a symbolic “curse” formed through repeated disregard.
Research
We observed repeated cases of high-profile visitors and production crews filming in restricted or ecologically sensitive areas, revealing a broader pattern of environmental boundary violations. This shaped the idea of treating impact not as isolated events, but as an accumulating symbolic “curse.”
We explored ritual and symbolism as frameworks for awareness and restraint rather than belief. Norse folklore led us to the Algiz rune, a protective symbol resembling raised arms or antlers, which became
a recurring motif of protection, awareness, and harm prevention in Unbind.
Research
We observed repeated cases of high-profile visitors and production crews filming in restricted or ecologically sensitive areas, revealing a broader pattern of environmental boundary violations. This shaped the idea of treating impact not as isolated events, but as an accumulating symbolic “curse.”
We explored ritual and symbolism as frameworks for awareness and restraint rather than belief. Norse folklore led us to the Algiz rune, a protective symbol resembling raised arms or antlers, which became
a recurring motif of protection, awareness, and harm prevention in Unbind.
Research
We observed repeated cases of high-profile visitors and production crews filming in restricted or ecologically sensitive areas, revealing a broader pattern of environmental boundary violations. This shaped the idea of treating impact not as isolated events, but as an accumulating symbolic “curse.”
We explored ritual and symbolism as frameworks for awareness and restraint rather than belief. Norse folklore led us to the Algiz rune,
a protective symbol resembling raised arms or antlers, which became
a recurring motif of protection, awareness, and harm prevention in Unbind.
Process
Using the Algiz rune and the duality of light and shadow, Unbind was shaped within Iceland as both setting and symbol.
The video was first laid out on Figma as a story board. Then from fragments of terrain, weather, sound, and movement, I developed a storyboard rooted in moss, mountains, and silence. Sound emerged first, built through evolving textures and early lyrical ideas. Sound and image developed in parallel, each informing the other until they converged into a unified structure.
Process
Using the Algiz rune and the duality of light and shadow, Unbind was shaped within Iceland as both setting and symbol.
The video was first laid out on Figma as a story board. Then from fragments of terrain, weather, sound, and movement, I developed a storyboard rooted in moss, mountains, and silence. Sound emerged first, built through evolving textures and early lyrical ideas. Sound and image developed in parallel, each informing the other until they converged into a unified structure.
Process
Using the Algiz rune and the duality of light and shadow, Unbind was shaped within Iceland as both setting and symbol.
The video was first laid out on Figma as a story board. Then from fragments of terrain, weather, sound, and movement, I developed a storyboard rooted in moss, mountains, and silence. Sound emerged first, built through evolving textures and early lyrical ideas. Sound and image developed
in parallel, each informing the other until they converged into a unified structure.
Challenges
The challenge was translating an abstract symbolic framework into a visual language while filming in Iceland’s fragile environment, balancing unpredictable conditions, access limitations, and ecological impact. The tension between critiquing environmental disregard and working within these spaces shaped the project’s ethical and creative boundaries.
This was resolved by anchoring the narrative in the Algiz rune and developing sound and image in parallel, ensuring emotional and visual alignment
throughout.
Challenges
The challenge was translating an abstract symbolic framework into a visual language while filming in Iceland’s fragile environment, balancing unpredictable conditions, access limitations, and ecological impact. The tension between critiquing environmental disregard and working within these spaces shaped the project’s ethical and creative boundaries.
This was resolved by anchoring the narrative in
the Algiz rune and developing sound and image in parallel, ensuring emotional and visual alignment
throughout.
Challenges
The challenge was translating an abstract symbolic framework into a visual language while filming
in Iceland’s fragile environment, balancing unpredictable conditions, access limitations, and ecological impact. The tension between critiquing environmental disregard and working within these spaces shaped the project’s ethical and creative boundaries.
This was resolved by anchoring the narrative in
the Algiz rune and developing sound and image in parallel, ensuring emotional and visual alignment
throughout.
Result
Unbind became both a completed music video and a reflective framework for how we approach filming in sensitive environments.
The project reframed our creative process, reinforcing a more intentional and responsible approach to documenting place, symbolism, and landscape
responsible documentation of fragile environments.
Result
Unbind became both a completed music video and a reflective framework for how we approach filming in sensitive environments.
The project reframed our creative process, reinforcing a more intentional and responsible approach to documenting place, symbolism, and landscape.
responsible documentation of fragile environments.
Result
Unbind became both a completed music video and a reflective framework for how we approach filming in sensitive environments.
The project reframed our creative process, reinforcing a more intentional and responsible approach to documenting place, symbolism, and landscape.
responsible documentation of fragile environments.
