Chromo Sapiens is a 360 degree installation with a 450 square meter surface area that was created by Icelandic artist Shoplifter / Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir for the Icelandic Pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale. Shoplifter transformed a warehouse in Giudecca into a multi-sensory, cavernous environment with a cacophonous amount of her signature material, synthetic hair. Entering Chromo Sapiens, you find yourself in Primal Opus, a dark passage of emanating volcanic earthy hues, activated by the sub terra sound of the Icelandic cult metal band HAM. The second chamber erupts into a shockingly bright undulation of colored neon hair tufts.
Aptly named Astral Gloria, her soaring cathedral ceiling and sheer emersion of chromatic opulence generates a kind of euphoric kinetic synesthesia. Opium Natura, the final cave flutters effortlessly into a soft landing of shimmering whites and pale soothing pastels, a fluffy heavenly nest that cradles you into a sense of serenity and sublime gentle bliss. Chromo Sapiens has received worldwide attention since its debut at the 2019 Venice Biennale. Approximately 30.000 people have visited the installation and it has been featured in various media outlets worldwide including Vogue, Artsy, The Guardian, Spiegel, Architectural Digest, Artnet News, Vanity Fair, Wallpaper, HyperAllergic, AnOther, Financial Times, Elle, The Art Newspaper and more.