The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

bitenewmusic Images courtesy of HuxleyWorld via James Merry S inger-songwriters Björk and Rosalía joined forces to re- lease the powerful single ‘Oral’. The song produced by both artists alongside Sega Bodega is their first collaboration. It aims to shed light on the alarming cruelty and severe environ- mental and ecological consequences of open-pen ocean salmon farming in Björk’s native country, Iceland. The Icelandic artist first wrote the lyrics between her 1997 ‘Homogenic’ and 2001 ‘Vespertine’ tracks, left in the archives after feeling it wasn’t the right fit for an album. Björk remembered the song while on tour in Australia last March, the same month a report was released about the dev- astating impact of poorly regulated, Norwegian-owned com- mercial salmon farming operations on Iceland’s native ecosys- tems. After profoundly resonating with the cause, the passionate campaigner and protester for most of her life enlisted Rosalía to bring the song to life and raise awareness of the issue. Norwegian businesspeople introduced open pen farming to Ice- land after they purchased fish farms in the country’s fjords. It in- volves penning the fish in an open water net anchored in natural waterways where they are kept enclosed until they reach market- able size. The practice accelerates the salmon’s development but also creates genetic mutations in its DNA and a breeding ground for parasites and diseases, threatening to permanently damage Iceland’s ocean ecology. The song’s video art, created by visual artist Carlota Guerrero and executive producer Zico Judge of Blur & ProdCo, explored the use of AI technology. It embraced the glitches, blurring the line between reality and virtuality whilst challenging the no- tions of identity. Throughout the piece, female rage is explored through Björk’s and Rosalía’s avatars, training together to fight the real and bigger enemy on the eastern side of Iceland. All proceeds from ‘Oral’ will be donated to the Aegis non-profit organisation to combat open pen fish farming in Iceland. Dona- tions can be made using the below link. www.bjork.com/aegis