He may have thought the geyser Strokkur was pretty in pink, but in the eyes of Icelandic authorities, pink is punishable. Danish-Chilean artist Marco Evaristti, who in April of last year drew attention by applying red food coloring to the natural treasure, resulting in a pink eruption, is being brought to trial in South Iceland district court today.
Previously, the artist had used the same kind of dye to transform an iceberg in Greenland, the Mont Blanc, a sand dune in the Sahara, and a waterfall in Norway. His so-called Pink State project has, however, caused Icelandic authorities to see red, for they say he has violated Environment Act number 37 by having “disturbed nature.”
Evaristti disagrees and maintains no damage resulted, and that the fruit color was completely watered down in a very short time. In a press release he states he can recommend visiting Strokkur early in the morning, “before the tourist buses with running engines and coughing exhaust pipes disturb the environment far more than my volatile food coloring caused a spring morning in April.”
He was fined the equivalent of EUR 135 (USD 154), which he has refused to pay. He is among artists who regard Nature as the artist’s canvas and calls this kind of art ‘land art.’
Evaristti states that whatever the verdict, he is ready to receive it, because he has respect for the Icelandic legal system.
