Lilja Birgisdöttir on How the Personal Becomes Universal

In this episode of Two Beats Ahead Live!, Michael Hendrix interviews accomplished Icelandic fine artist and photographer, Lilja Birgisdöttir, co-founder of Fischersund Perfumery and Art Collective. LIlja takes us on an intimate scent journey through the collective's shop and explains how this multi-sensory experience emerged from a desire to collaborate with her siblings, the most well-known being Jónsi, the singer of atmospheric post-rock band, Sigur Rós.

We discuss how pursuing personal passions results in universally relatable art and how this pursuit can also be a platform for growing a business. She shares how the experience design of Fischersund is a a gentle counterpoint to modern, aggressive retail experiences and why she values creativity and connection. We also touch on the science of embodied cognition—understanding the world through our five senses—and how the collective's latest exhibition, Faux Flora, has been a means of personal artistic growth through collaboration.