JENS L THOMSEN is a composer, artist and producer based on the Faroe Islands. He has an MSc in Environmental and Architectural Acoustics from London South Bank University as well as a BA in Music Technology from University of West London. His art typically explores the intersection between art, technology and environment. Through his project ORKA, Jens has twice been nominated for the Nordic Council Music Award.
To capture the unique sounds of the Faroese underground Uni Árting and Jens L. Thomsen travelled to five seismic stations across the Faroe Islands. These stations, strategically located on Suðuroy, Vágar, Streymoy, Svínoy, and in the capital Tórshavn, represent the cardinal points of North, South, East, and West, with Tórshavn situated in the middle.
Árting and Thomsen recorded seismic vibrations in bedrock, cliffs and quarries and these recordings have since been sampled, composed and produced into a complete musical piece. Furthermore, the travels to the seismic stations, the preparations and the actual sound recordings were documented on video cameras and this footage is used in the work itself. Consequently FØROYAR 5.2 is an audio-visual installation in which the actual process becomes a part of the work.
In 2022, FØROYAR 5.2 was adapted for virtual reality (VR) as part of the exhibition Changing Landscapes at the Faroese National Gallery. The installation was recreated within a virtual cave, where four speakers and screens represented the cardinal points, and an additional fifth speaker and screen were positioned on the ceiling to represent Tórshavn.
Created by Jens L. Thomsen and Uni Árting
Producer: Urd Johannesen, The Nordic House in the Faroe Islands
Image Technicians: Rúni Friis Kjær, Heðin Ziska Davidsen, Jón Sand Davidsen
Seismic Technician: Uni Petersen
Camera: Petur Pólson (Suðuroy), Jóanes Árting (Vík), Kirstin Helgadóttir (Svínoy), Rúni Friis Kjær (introduction)
Video Editing: Heiðrik á Heygum (introduction), Uni Árting and Rúni Friis Kjær (documentary) Thomas Koba (FØROYAR 5.2)
Trailer: Heiðrik á Heygum
Production Technology: No Parking Production
Graphic Design: Kirstin Helgadóttir
Leaflet Text: Knút H. Eysturstein
VR Developer: Bárður Fríi Mikladal
VR Technician: Barbara Biskopstø